Bhavania australis

Bhavania australis
From Sakleshpur, Hassan District, Karnataka, India.
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1) [1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Cypriniformes
Family:	Balitoridae
Genus:	Bhavania
Species:	B. australis
Binomial name
Bhavania australis Jerdon, 1849
Synonyms
Platycara australisJerdon, 1849 Homaloptera maculata Day, 1877 Homaloptera bruceiDay, 1877

Bhavania australis, also known as the Western Ghats loach, is a species of hillstream loach endemic to the Western Ghats in southern Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, India. While it is considered least concern by the IUCN Red List, research shows it to be endangered due to habitat destruction, pollution and dynamite fishing. ^{[1] [2] [3]}

It is usually dark on the dorsal surface, with black spots irregularly distributed on the body. It grows to a maximum size of 9 cm (3.5 in). ^[3]

In captivity

Bhavania australis is difficult to maintain in aquarium conditions. It has been observed that it cannot thrive well in aquariums for more than a month. It is generally peaceful, and tends to stick to the glass surface of tanks. ^[3]

References

1. Abraham, R. (2011). "Bhavania australis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2011: e.T172390A6882030. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-1.RLTS.T172390A6882030.en .
2. Arunachalam, M., J.A. Johnson and A. Manimekalan, 2000. Cultivable and ornamental fishes in rivers of Wynard district, Kerala. In A.G. Ponniah and A. Gopalakrishnan (eds.) Endemic fish diversity of Western Ghats. NBFGR-NATP Publication. National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow, U.P., India. 1,347 p.
3. Ponniah, A.G. & Gopalakrishnan, Dr. (2018). Endemic Fish Diversity of Western Ghats.