Cyprinidae: Barbus nigrofasciatus

Wednesday 11 July 2012

Barbus nigrofasciatus

The black ruby barb (Puntius nigrofasciatus) or purplehead barb is a tropical fishbelonging to the minnow family (Cyprinidae). Originating from Sri Lanka in forested streams from the Kelani basin to the Nilwala basin, they are found in streams on hills around 1000 ft (300 m) in elevation. The brightly colored population introduced to Mahaweli at Ginigathena, Sri Lanka are said to have diminished in number due to the aquarium export trade. It was originally named Barbus nigrofasciatus The young fish has a yellowish gray body with black vertical stripes. The silver body turns into a dark ruby red color in mature, breeding males. In the female, the basal part of all the vertical fins are black In the male, the whole dorsal fin is a deep black, the anal fin blackish red, and the pelvic fins are reddish. The fish will grow to a maximum length of 2–3 inches (6–8 centimeters) with the female being slightly longer than the male.!