PETHIYA NIGROFASCIATA
Pethia: the generic vernacular name for small cyprinids in the Sinhala language.
Nigrofasciata: from the Latin niger, meaning ‘black’, and fasciatus, meaning ‘banded’, in reference to this species’ colour pattern.
This species endemic to Sri Lanka where it’s restricted to the Kelani and Nilwalariver basins in the southwestern ‘wet zone’ of the island, plus smaller drainages in the area between them.
Adult males are noticeably smaller, slimmer, and more colourful than females, especially during the spawning season when the overall colour pattern darkens with the head and anterior portion of the body becoming reddish-purple.
Habitats are shallow floawing water with high oxygen level and low sunlight. Mostly live as schools. Feeding with sub terminal mouth and this is a pelagic fish.
Export of wild specimens from Sri Lanka is currently prohibited meaning all those available in the aquarium trade should theoretically be bred on a commercial basis, although wild fish are apparently still collected.
Written by,
Oceanhub
University of Ruhuna – UOR