Swamp barb

Swamp barb
Conservation status
	; Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Cypriniformes
Family:	Cyprinidae
Subfamily:	Barbinae
Genus:	Puntius
Species:	P. chola
Binomial name
	Puntius chola; (F. Hamilton, 1822)
	Nations where Puntius chola can be found
Synonyms
	Cyprinus chola (Hamilton, 1822); Puntius titius (Hamilton, 1822); Barbus chola (Hamilton, 1822); Capoeta chola (Hamilton, 1822); Barbus titius (Hamilton, 1822);

The swamp barb (Puntius chola), 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.

Description

Swamp barbs will grow in length up to 6 inches (15 cm) and weigh up to 60 grams (2.1 oz).

Habitat

It is found in streams, rivers, canals, mangroves, marshes, swamps, ponds, and inundated fields, mainly in shallow water. They live in a tropical climate in water with a 6.0 - 6.5 pH, a water hardness of 8 - 15 dGH, and a temperature range of 68–77 °F (20–25 °C). It feeds on worms, benthic crustaceans, insects, and plant matter.^{[citation needed]}

Breeding

The swamp barb is an open water, substrate egg-scatterer, and adults do not guard the eggs.

During breeding time, the males display very prominent red bands, which lasts for around two days (rivaling Rosy Barbs - P. conchonius), while females display red stripes which last around 5 hours.

Importance to humans

The swamp barb is of commercial importance in the aquarium trade, the fisheries industry and as live feed for Arowana and other species of predatory aquarium fishes.^{[citation needed]}

Further info

For colour photos of P. chola in courtship, see: Nuptial colouration and courtship behaviour during induced breeding of the swamp barb Puntius chola, a freshwater fish by Vincent, Moncey & Thomas, John K. in Current Science Vol 94. p. 922. Published by the Indian Academy of Sciences, April 2008.

References

^ Dahanukar, N. (2010). "Puntius chola". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010: e.T166443A6210314. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T166443A6210314.en. Retrieved 20 December 2023.

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[1] Dahanukar, N. (2010). "Puntius chola". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010: e.T166443A6210314. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T166443A6210314.en. Retrieved 20 December 2023.

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