ID: Puntius tambraparniei

[CK Yeo]

I am guessing this belongs Systomus since the dorsal fins looks like they have serration too. Uncle Choy rite?

They are not something LFS stocks normally since they are usually drab and unimpressive in LFS conditions.
While not as impressive as the pictures found online (yet), I think it has a lot of potential and has coloured up quite a bit since I got it. BTW, the fin extensions were not there when I got them. Hopefully they will grow longer and colour will get more intensive. Note the pimples on the nose of the fish. Also didn't see them there when I got them.

They feed like pigs and are ever hungry but grab food from the surface like piranhas (i.e. splashing water and all).

You guys should see them spar. Wow!




ck

[hwchoy]

Actually I am pretty sure they don't have serration, but this is definitely in Puntius (there are a series of traits, I'll find them and post later).

Also I am unsure if this should be Puntius tambraparniei as this whole group is pretty confused. There was a recent paper about it and of course the endless discussion over at petfrd.

But the finrays looks interesting! the tubercles (pimples) are found on males especially in breeding condition.

[CK Yeo]

I "kay kiang". Lol.

Really, what species is in Puntius and what is in Systomus? I am getting all confused.

ck

[hwchoy]

Systomus are pretty much limited to Sunda region, while Puntius includes all the Indian region ones.

[Quixotic]

Choy, is the information in the Notes section at the end of this webpage usable? Summary about the confusion surrounding P. arulius, P. tambraparniei and mention of P. srilankensis.
http://www.seriouslyfish.com/profile.php?id=1075

[hwchoy]

interesting site. not sure who this "Matt Ford" is but the Notes is fairly similar to the discussion the went on in petfrd. that was a good discussion (while still not conclusive) as it involved also taxonomists and the actual fish collector. I'll find that Kottelat paper as well and post up later.

[CK Yeo]

This paper huh?
http://rmbr.nus.edu.sg/rbz/biblio/s12/s12rbz127-144.pdf

Spawning report with an amazing picture of how the fish looks like in its full glory.
http://www.petfrd.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19793

BTW, I'm still confused.
Anyone wants them in the planted tank should be aware that they nibble plants but are safe with the usual herbivore-resistant plants.

ck

[CK Yeo]

erm... based on the paper,

mouth terminal; maxillary barbels < &#188; eye diameter; dorsal rays of males not prolonged into filament-like extensions ........ Puntius arulius
mouth subterminal; maxillary barbels > &#189; eye diameter; dorsal rays of males prolonged into filament-like extensions........... Puntius tambraparniei

But my fish has minute little barbels with fin extensions and subterminal mouth so it does not fit the description of either arulius or tambraparniei. What now?

I should choose something easier to take picture of next time.

ck

[hwchoy]

its a bit difficult to see how long the barbels are unles you catch it and measure, but from all appearance your fish is P. tambraparniei.

I have, or rather had, the P. arulius apparently caught near the type locality, given to me by Andrew Rao.

[hwchoy]

…, but from all appearance your fish is P. tambraparniei.

however I might draw your attention to pp 142 of Review of the Puntius filamentosus group - Pethiyagoda & Kottelat:

The P. filamentosus group of barbs is almost certainly not restricted to the seven species recognised here. The mountain streams of Kerala and Tamil Nadu are poorly explored, and more species will almost certainly be added to the fauna once further exploration takes place.

[hwchoy]

Really, what species is in Puntius and what is in Systomus? I am getting all confused.

ck

here http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...ad.php?t=43467

[CK Yeo]

Thanks!
The barbels are really stubs. I won't be surprised if they decide to call it something else later.

ck

[juggler]

ck: Very beautiful fish! So how does their temperament compare to the Odessa Barb?

[hwchoy]

cannot compare, these guys are so much larger and boisterous.

[CK Yeo]

They are huge compared to Odessa. While they seems to leave the other inhabitants alone, I wouldn't trust them with the smaller tetras/rasboras. They are fast moving and boisterous. Needs a larger tank and a group.

BTW, besides the normal flaring and chasing that barbs do, they actually wrestle each other with their lips. Quite impressive.

ck

[juggler]

I checked from http://www.jjphoto.dk/fish_archive/a...ies_odessa.htm that the Odessa Barb is 10cm max. Mine is nearing 6.5cm now.
However they stated the Puntius tambraparniei as 6cm.

[hwchoy]

I'm not sure JJphoto is a good source of data, considering that the pictures are already often wrong.

[CK Yeo]

The subject in the first post is definitely bigger than 6cm.

ck

[hwchoy]

for that matter I have never seen an odessa nor any of its related small barbs anywhere close to 10cm, that is 4 inches man!

odessa should be the same size class as P. stoliczkanus which is listed as 5cm in FishBase.