Denison barb

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Denison barb
Sahyadria denisonii school.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cypriniformes
Family: Cyprinidae
Genus: Dawkinsia
Species:
D. denisonii
Binomial name
Dawkinsia denisonii
(F. Day, 1865)
Synonyms
  • Labeo denisoniiF. Day, 1865
  • Barbus denisonii(F. Day, 1865)
  • Crossocheilus denisonii(F. Day, 1865)
  • Puntius denisonii(F. Day, 1865)
  • Sahyadria denisonii(F. Day, 1865)
Pdenisonii.jpg
Cyprinidae Sahyadria denisonii 1.2.jpg

The Denison barb, Denison's barb, Miss Kerala, red-line torpedo barb, or roseline shark (Dawkinsia denisonii) is an endangered species of cyprinid fish endemic to the fast-flowing hill streams and rivers of the Western Ghats in India. [2] [3] It is commonly seen in the aquarium trade; pet collection caused it to become endangered and is its single major threat. [1] [4] [5]

Contents

Physical characteristics

Barbus denisonii Day 143.jpg

The fish is characterized by a torpedo-shaped body with silver scales, a red line running from their snout, through the eye, back towards the middle of the body; and below the red line, a black line that runs the length of the fish to the tail. As they mature, a distinctive green/blue marking on top of the head develops. This species reputedly reaches a length of 15 centimetres (5.9 in) TL, [2] but typically will only reach 9–11 centimetres (3.5–4.3 in). [4] They are active shoaling fishes. [4]

The species was described by Francis Day and named after Sir William Denison. [6]

Habitat and threats

Denison barb is endemic to the Achenkovil, Pamba and Chaliyar rivers. Specifically, they are found in four locations — Cheenkannipuzha (a major tributary of Valapattanam River), the Achankovil river, the Chaliyar river and near Mundakayam town. [7] The species has an estimated range of 8,805 km2 (3,400 sq mi). S. denisonii is a benthopelagic species that is gregarious and shoals are known to occur in rocky pools with thick vegetation along their banks. They thrive in a subtropical climate in water with a 6.8–7.8 pH, a water hardness of 5–25 dGH and a temperature range of 65 to 79 °F (18 to 26 °C).

As reported by Practical Fishkeeping in January 2009, new research by team of scientists from India suggests that the species is being over-exploited for the aquarium trade, potentially placing it at risk of extinction. [8] In spite of being listed as endangered by local assessment reports [9] the fish had been promoted as an 'export item' by several government agencies. The population structure, age, growth, mortality and harvest intensity in the Valapattanam River was studied and suggests that the species is being over-exploited. [10]

The fish was most likely collected and exported out of India in 1996. In 1997, it won the third prize at 'Aquarama 1997' (world exhibition on Ornamental fish) under the 'New Species Category'. [11] By 2007-08 it constituted about 60- 65% of the total live ornamental fish exported from India which was worth US$1.54 million. Though the Government of Kerala banned the fishing and export of the endangered barb, it is yet to be listed under the National Wildlife Protection Act. The golden form of this Denison barb is extinct from the wild but few Aquarium hobbyists have it in their collection.

In the aquarium

This fish is a relatively new addition to the fish keeping hobby. The Denison's barb is a schooling fish that is usually kept in groups. It tends to be peaceful but some have been known to be slightly aggressive around food, especially if kept in less space than they require. They eat bloodworms, shrimp, meat, fish flake and some vegetation. A similar fish, Dawkinsia chalakkudiensis is sometimes confused with this fish, but it is a larger, less colourful and a more aggressive species.

Breeding

Over the years many efforts have been made to breed this rapidly depleting species in captivity, initially with limited success. In 2009, success came from the work carried out at the Fisheries College, Kerala by Bony Joseph. Breeding efforts have also been carried out by Chester Zoo and two amateur fish-lovers from Chennai (India), Venkatesh and Murali. [7] These efforts may pave the way for standardizing the process and would be a major boost to conservation and the ornamental fish trade in India. Large numbers are now being bred in captivity at commercial facilities. [4] [12]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western Ghats</span> Mountain range along the western coast of India

The Western Ghats, also known as the Sahyadri, is a mountain range that stretches 1,600 km (990 mi) along the western coast of the Indian peninsula. Covering an area of 160,000 km2 (62,000 sq mi), it traverses the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. The range forms an almost continuous chain of mountains along the western edge of the Deccan Plateau, from the Tapti River to Swamithoppe in Kanyakumari district at the southern tip of the Indian peninsula. The Western Ghats meet with the Eastern Ghats at Nilgiris before continuing south.

<i>Puntius</i> Genus of fishes

Puntius is a genus of small freshwater fish in the family Cyprinidae native to South Asia and Mainland Southeast Asia, as well as Taiwan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ticto barb</span> Species of fish

The ticto barb or twospot barb is a species of subtropical freshwater fish belonging to the family Cyprinidae. It is a native of the upper Mekong, Salwen, Irrawaddy, Meklong and upper Charo Phraya basins in the countries of Nepal, India, Pakistan, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Sri Lanka. It has frequently been confused with the Odessa barb in the aquarium trade, but in that species the male is reddish-orange.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swamp barb</span> Species of fish

The swamp barb, also known as chola barb, is a species of tropical freshwater fish belonging to the subfamily Cyprininae of the family Cyprinidae. It originates in inland waters in Asia, and is found in Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and Myanmar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Onespot barb</span> Species of fish

The onespot barb or Teri barb is a tropical freshwater fish belonging to the Cyprininae sub-family of the family Cyprinidae. It originates in inland waters in Asia, and is found in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar. It was originally described as Cyprinus terio by Dr. Francis Buchanan-Hamilton in 1822, and has also been referred to in scientific literature as Systomus terio or Barbus terio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greenstripe barb</span> Species of fish

The greenstripe barb, silver barb or striped barb is a tropical freshwater and brackish fish belonging to the subfamily Cyprininae of the family Cyprinidae. It originates in inland waters in Asia, and is found in Pakistan, India, and Sri Lanka.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dwarf pufferfish</span> Species of fish

The dwarf pufferfish, also known as the Malabar pufferfish, pygmy pufferfish, or pea pufferfish, is a small freshwater pufferfish endemic to Kerala and southern Karnataka in Southwest India. They are popular in aquaria for their bright colours and small size. At a maximum total length of 3.5 cm, dwarf pufferfish are one of the smallest pufferfish in the world. They closely resemble the related Carinotetraodon imitator, and the two can be difficult to distinguish. C. imitator was not recognised as a different species until 1999.

<i>Dawkinsia filamentosa</i> Species of fish

Dawkinsia filamentosa, the filament barb, or poovali paral is a species of barb. Young fish have barely any color and black spots. They start having more color at three months old. The fish is a swift swimmer. Males are larger than females and they fertilize eggs by swimming into the cloud of eggs. The species is most commonly found in coastal floodplains near the Southwest Indian states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. This species is also known as blackspot barb.

<i>Dawkinsia assimilis</i> Species of fish

Dawkinsia assimilis is a species of ray-finned fish in the genus Dawkinsia. It is endemic to the southern Western Ghats especially to the Southwest Indian states of Karnataka and Kerala. They are known as Mascara Barb. Filament barbs are a group of small freshwater fishes found in the rivers of peninsular India and Sri Lanka. There are nine species known under the genus Dawkinsia. These barbs are popular among aquarium hobbyists as an ornamental fish and are also collected from rivers and bred for trade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Redside barb</span> Species of fish

The redside barb or two-spot barb is a species of ray-finned fish in the genus Puntius. It is found in India and Sri Lanka. It was identified and classified by Pieter Bleeker in 1863.

Dawkinsia chalakkudiensis is a species of cyprinid fish endemic to the Chalakkudy River, Kerala, India in the Western Ghats where it can be found in well-vegetated upper reaches of rivers. This species can reach a length of 12.5 centimetres (4.9 in) TL. It resembles the related D. denisonii, but the colours of D. chalakkudiensis are less intense.

Pethia setnai is a species of cyprinid fish native to streams of the Western Ghats, India. It is an endemic fish and is most commonly found in flowing sections of hill streams and smaller rivers. It can reach a length of up to 5.7 centimetres (2.2 in) TL. The species named after later Dr. Sam Bomansha Setna, who was the first Director of Fisheries of the erstwhile Bombay State.

<i>Dawkinsia srilankensis</i> Species of fish

Dawkinsia srilankensis, the blotched filamented barb, is a species of ray-finned fish in the genus Dawkinsia. This species is endemic to the Kalu River in Sri Lanka and it is in imminent danger of going extinct due to tailings from upstream mines and potentially also capture for the aquarium trade. It was bred recently in the Dehiwala Zoological Gardens.

<i>Dawkinsia tambraparniei</i> Species of fish

Dawkinsia tambraparniei is a species of cyprinid fish found in the Tambraparni River basin in the Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu, India. This species can reach a length of 12.8 centimetres (5.0 in) SL.

<i>Dawkinsia</i> Genus of fishes

Dawkinsia is a genus of cyprinid fishes from freshwater in South India and Sri Lanka. It was split off from genus Puntius in 2012.

<i>Pethia</i> Genus of fishes

Pethia is a genus of small freshwater fish in the family Cyprinidae native to South Asia, East Asia and Mainland Southeast Asia. Some species are commonly seen in the aquarium trade. The name Pethia is derived from the Sinhalese "pethia", a generic word used to describe any of several small species of cyprinid fishes. Most members of this genus were included in Puntius, until it was revised in 2012.

<i>Sahyadria</i> Genus of fishes

Sahyadria is a genus of cyprinid fishes native to India where they are endemic to rivers and streams in the Western Ghats. They were formerly included in Puntius. The largest Sahyadria measure 15 cm (5.9 in) total length.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">B. Madhusoodhana Kurup</span> Indian professor and fisheries scientist

B. Madhusoodana Kurup is an Indian fisheries researcher, academic and administrator. He is the Founder Vice-Chancellor of Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS), Cochin and also served as the third Vice Chancellor of Shri Venkateshwara University, Gajraula, Uttar Pradesh. He has established and successfully developed the first Fisheries and Ocean Sciences University in the country. He did his postdoc from Fish Culture and Fisheries division, Wageningen University & Research, The Netherlands. He served as UGC Professor (Fisheries) at Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) for over eighteen years.

<i>Dawkinsia rohani</i> Species of fish

Dawkinsia rohani is a species of ray-finned fish in the genus Dawkinsia. It is endemic to the Western Ghats and inhabits the hill streams of Kanyakumari District in Tamil Nadu draining into the Arabian Sea.

Pseudeutropius mitchelli is an endangered species of freshwater fishes endemic to Kerala, India that belongs to the family of Schilbid catfishes. It is known as Malabar patashi.

References

  1. 1 2 Ali, A.; Raghavan, R.; Dahanukar, N. (2015). "Sahyadria denisonii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2015: e.T169662A70082469. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-1.RLTS.T169662A70082469.en . Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2013). "Dawkinsia denisonii" in FishBase . October 2013 version.
  3. ↑ Raghavan, R.; Philip, S.; Ali, A. & Dahanukar, N. (2013). "Sahyadria, a new genus of barbs (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from Western Ghats of India" (PDF). Journal of Threatened Taxa. 5 (15): 4932–4938. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 December 2013.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Sahyadria denisonii". Seriously Fish. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  5. ↑ Sajan, S (2017). Life History traits of an Endangered barb. LAMBERT Academic Publishing. ISBN   9783330042124.
  6. ↑ Day, F. (1865). "On the fishes of Cochin, on the Malabar Coast of India. Part II. Anacanthini". Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. 1865: 286–318.
  7. 1 2 Mathew, Dennis Marcus (1 February 2010). "'Miss Kerala' gets a protective shield". The Hindu. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  8. ↑ Practical Fishkeeping (11 January 2009), Kerala government bans fishing for this species. "Kerala government bans fishing for Puntius denisonii". Practical Fishkeeping. Archived from the original on 5 June 2011. Retrieved 26 November 2010.
  9. ↑ Molur, S. and Walker, S., Report of the workshop on ‘Conservation Assessment and Management Plan for Fresh Water Fishes of India’, Zoo Outreach Organization and NBFGR, Lucknow, 1998,p. 156.
  10. ↑ SAJAN, S.; T.V. ANNA MERCY; and V. MALIKA (2015). "Age, Growth and Population Dynamics of an Endangered Fish Sahyadria denisonii (Day 1865) from the Western Ghats Hotspot of India". Asian Fisheries Science. 28 (3): 130–142.
  11. ↑ Rajeev Raghavan; et al. (January 2009). "'Damsel in distress'‐ The tale of Miss Kerala, Puntius denisonii (Day), an endemic and endangered cyprinid of the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot (South India)". Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems. 19 (1): 67–74. doi:10.1002/aqc.963.
  12. ↑ T. V. Anna Mercy; S. Sajan; V. Malika (2015). "Captive breeding and developmental biology of Sahyadria denisonii (Day 1865) (Cyprinidae), an endangered fish of the Western Ghats, India". Indian Journal of Fisheries. 62 (2).
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