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Sahyadria denisonii

Denison barb
Akwa18 puntius2.jpg
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cypriniformes
Family: Cyprinidae
Genus: Sahyadria
Species: S. denisonii
Binomial name
Sahyadria denisonii
(F. Day, 1865)
Synonyms
  • Labeo denisonii F. Day, 1865
  • Barbus denisonii (F. Day, 1865)
  • Crossocheilus denisonii (F. Day, 1865)
  • Puntius denisonii (F. Day, 1865)

The Denison barb, Denison's barb, Miss Kerala, red-line torpedo barb, or roseline shark (Sahyadria denisonii) is an endangered species of cyprinid fish endemic to the fast-flowing hill streams and rivers of the Western Ghats in India. It is commonly seen in the aquarium trade; pet collection caused it to become endangered and is its single major threat.<Sajan,S (2017):[2]

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, but typically will only reach 9–11 centimetres (3.5–4.3 in). They are active schooling fishes.

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

Denison barb is endemic to the Achenkovil, Pamba and Chaliyar rivers. Specifically, they are found in four locations — Cheenkannipuzha (a major tributary of Velapattanam River), the Achankovil river, the Chaliyar river and near Mundakayam town. 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).


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Wikipedia

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