| Asoka Barb | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Cypriniformes |
| Family: | Cyprinidae |
| Genus: | Puntius |
| Species: | P. asoka |
| Binomial name | |
| Puntius asoka Kottelat & Pethiyagoda, 1989 |
|
The Asoka Barb (Puntius asoka) is a fresh water species of ray-finned fish in the Cyprinidae family. It is found only in Sri Lanka. Maximum length of male fish is around 17cm in size and average length is 10cm.
Found in relatively deep (1-2 m) fast-flowing water, in areas with gravel or sand substrates. Juveniles (1-3cm TL) shoal together in schools of 30-100 individuals in very shallow water (5-25 cm), downstream. Adults occupy deeper water (1-2m), upstream. Usually occupies unshaded areas. Fast swimmers and not easily identified from water surface. This species can be found in freshwater which has 6.5 - 7.5 pH range and 25°C - 30°C temperature. Distribution of this specie is upper reaches of the Sitawaka River and its tributaries, and Kelani near Kitulgala, Sri Lanka.