Pethia gelius (Hamilton, 1822)
Golden barb
Pethia gelius
photo by Mahalder, B.

Family:  Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps), subfamily: Smiliogastrinae
Max. size:  5.1 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 0.6 g
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater; pH range: 6 - 7; dH range: 10
Distribution:  Asia: Pakistan, India and Bangladesh. Widely transported around the world and quite popular with aquarists.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-11; Anal soft rays: 8-8. This species can be diagnosed from all congeners by the combination of the following characters: lateral line incomplete, with 3-4 pored scales; 21-22 + 1 scales in lateral series, ½4/1/2½ scales in transverse line on body; 8 predorsal scales; last unbranched dorsal-fin ray thick, straight, serrated, with 20-25 serrae on posterior margin; barbels absent; a broad black band around the caudal peduncle covering scales 19-21 in the longitudinal series. Three diffuse black blotches on the body, first behind opercle, second below dorsal-fin origin, third above anal-fin origin. Black spot at base and origins of dorsal, anal and pelvic fins (Ref. 94011).
Biology:  Occurs in rivers and standing water over silt and mud (Ref. 41236). Feeds on small crustaceans and insects (Ref. 7020).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 19 March 2010 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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