Puntius padamya
Encyclopedia
Puntius padamya, also known as the Odessa barb, is a species of ray-finned fish in the genus Puntius
. Its only known natural habitat has been located in Central Myanmar
, near Mandalay
. It has been known to the aquarium hobby for many years, but was only described scientifically in 2008.
, which allows for easy identification of the sexes.
The male has a beige to light brown background color, but is noted for the bright red stripe running the length of the body. The male also has red irises with a narrow black streak through the middle of the eye. The dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins of the male are yellowish green in color with contrasting black spots.
The female is plainly colored with a light beige body and a reflecting silvery sheen on the scales. The fins of the female are a light yellowish green; however, only the dorsal fin contains the contrasting black spots, which are fainter than those of the male. Both sexes have a black and prominent spot in the dorsal area, as well as a smaller spot in the caudal area.
, Ukraine
in the early 1970s. However, S. Kullander and R. Britz recently described it scientifically, in 2008, under the species name Puntius padamya. The word “padamya” is Burmese for ruby, and was chosen in reference to the alternate ornamental fish name “ruby barb” and the vivid color marking of the male.
catfish, and the Ram cichlid
.
Puntius
Puntius is a genus of ray-finned fishes in the family Cyprinidae of the order Cypriniformes. Fishes of this genus are known as the spotted barbs for the predominant pattern, though many have vertical black bands instead. Also, the Spotted Barb proper is one particular species, Puntius binotatus....
. Its only known natural habitat has been located in Central Myanmar
Myanmar
Burma , officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar , is a country in Southeast Asia. Burma is bordered by China on the northeast, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, India on the northwest, the Bay of Bengal to the southwest, and the Andaman Sea on the south....
, near Mandalay
Mandalay
Mandalay is the second-largest city and the last royal capital of Burma. Located north of Yangon on the east bank of the Irrawaddy River, the city has a population of one million, and is the capital of Mandalay Region ....
. It has been known to the aquarium hobby for many years, but was only described scientifically in 2008.
Physical description
The Odessa barb is a small fish with a laterally compressed body. In the available scientific literature, the Odessa barb has been measured with an average length of 4 cm (1.5 in) for both sexes; however, many hobby aquarist profiles have noted a standard length of 7 cm (2.75 in). This species exhibits sexual dimorphismSexual dimorphism
Sexual dimorphism is a phenotypic difference between males and females of the same species. Examples of such differences include differences in morphology, ornamentation, and behavior.-Examples:-Ornamentation / coloration:...
, which allows for easy identification of the sexes.
The male has a beige to light brown background color, but is noted for the bright red stripe running the length of the body. The male also has red irises with a narrow black streak through the middle of the eye. The dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins of the male are yellowish green in color with contrasting black spots.
The female is plainly colored with a light beige body and a reflecting silvery sheen on the scales. The fins of the female are a light yellowish green; however, only the dorsal fin contains the contrasting black spots, which are fainter than those of the male. Both sexes have a black and prominent spot in the dorsal area, as well as a smaller spot in the caudal area.
Name origins
This fish is also known as the ornamental fish species “Odessa barb” because it was said to have first appeared in pet enthusiast’s circles in OdessaOdessa
Odessa or Odesa is the administrative center of the Odessa Oblast located in southern Ukraine. The city is a major seaport located on the northwest shore of the Black Sea and the fourth largest city in Ukraine with a population of 1,029,000 .The predecessor of Odessa, a small Tatar settlement,...
, Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
in the early 1970s. However, S. Kullander and R. Britz recently described it scientifically, in 2008, under the species name Puntius padamya. The word “padamya” is Burmese for ruby, and was chosen in reference to the alternate ornamental fish name “ruby barb” and the vivid color marking of the male.
Water conditions
The Odessa barb prefers water in the range 14-25 degrees C. (57-77 degrees F.) This is cooler than most tropical fish prefer. They can live in either a tropical aquarium at 24 degrees C (75 degrees F) or in an unheated aquarium as long as it is not in an extremely cold area.In the aquarium
Like most barbs, the Odessa barb is an active and generally peaceful fish that is best kept in a community tank. It is a schooling fish that can become semi-aggressive towards other tank mates if it is not kept in groups of 5 or more individuals. As this fish is fast moving, it is best kept in a tank with open spaces. The Odessa barb is a voracious eater that will eat most foods given including flakes and frozen foods, such as Bloodworms. The Odessa barb can be kept with other peaceful fish species including various Tetras, various CorydorasCorydoras
Members of the South American Corydoras genus are freshwater temperate and tropical catfish in the armored catfish family , and are commonly referred to as corydorases, cories, or cory catfish.-Taxonomy:...
catfish, and the Ram cichlid
Ram cichlid
Mikrogeophagus ramirezi is a species of freshwater fish endemic to the Orinoco River basin, in the savannahs of Venezuela and Colombia in South America...
.
External links
- Odessa-Barb-Fact-Sheet
- Odessa Barb species profile - Seriously Fish, see: http://www.seriouslyfish.com/profile.php?genus=Puntius&species=padamya&id=1250