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Tiantian barb (Pethia tiantian) — Cyprinidae

Tiantian barb

Pethia tiantian
Family: Cyprinidae

The Tiantian barb (Pethia tiantian) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
4.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
0.0–1.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Tiantian barb is a small cyprinid (Cyprinidae) from clear streams, pools and rivers of Myanmar in Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a stocky, silvery body, often with dark spots or crossbars and in males with red or yellow tints. As a social fish it swims in groups in the water column and snaps at insect larvae, small plankton and algae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Tiantian barb?

The Tiantian barb has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Tiantian barb live?

The Tiantian barb lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Tiantian barb get?

The Tiantian barb grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Tiantian barb dangerous to humans?

No, the Tiantian barb is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Tiantian-barbeel sourced
English name
Tiantian barb sourced
Scientific name
Pethia tiantian
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
1.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Pethia

More from the family Cyprinidae

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