Puntius sahyadriensis
Puntius sahyadriensis is naturally found in rivers with a low current, originating in the Western Ghats, near the town of Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra, which gave the fish its name. This barb species is undemanding and can be recommended to beginner aquarists as their first fish.
Puntius sahyadriensis has a reddish colouration. Along the body of fish runs a series of fairly wide black oval or diamond-shaped spots. Adult males are brightly colored and have white edging on the tips of the pelvic fins. In addition, small growths appear on the head of males in the pre-spawning period, which disappear without a trace at the end of spawning. The females are more faded and slightly larger than the males. The maximum size of the fish is about 6 cm.
In general Puntius sahyadriensis fish are peaceful, which makes them ideal inhabitants for an aquarium containing other small peace-loving fish and shrimps. Keep barbs should be a group of at least 8-10. The fish will then become less fearful and the males will exhibit bright colours. For such a number of fish need an aquarium volume of 80 liters.
Water parameters: temperature 18-24° C, hardness dH 2-15°, pH 6,0-7,8. Requires filtration, increased aeration and a weekly substitution of at least 1/3 of the aquarium water with fresh. Pisces completely intolerant to the content of water organics, so the quality of filtration is a special requirement. Preferably create a small water current in the aquarium, e.g. by running the outlet nozzle of the water filter along the back wall of the aquarium.
Coarse river sand or a mixture of coarse sand and fine gravel can be used as substrate. Small boulders, tree branches and snags can be placed at the bottom. You can also plant Singapore moss, Vesicularia dubyana, Bolbitis heudelotii, Anubias barteri var. glabra.
Dimmed light for about 10 hours a day.
Puntius sahyadriensis is an omnivorous fish. In nature, it feeds on worms, insects and other small invertebrates as well as algae and organic detritus. In the aquarium, the fish are fed with bloodworms, artemia, daphnia and various dry feeds in the form of pellets and flakes containing spirulina. The food needs to be fed twice a day.
Reproduction
Puntius sahyadriensis are capable of breeding in the same aquarium where they permanently reside, but due to the producers' lack of concern for their future offspring, it is preferable to breed the fish in a spawning tank specially prepared for this purpose in order to keep the stock of fry.
As the spawning tank is used a suitable container of 10 liters. At the bottom of the spawning tank is placed separator mesh. Spawning takes place in the morning hours. Immediately after spawning, the spawners should be removed. The eggs are incubated for 24-36 hours. The hatched larvae feed on their yolk sac for 3-4 days, after which they begin to swim and feed.
The fry are fed with live dust and artemia. The fry need to be fed at least 4 times a day.
Puntius sahyadriensis has a life span of about 3-4 years in aquarium conditions.
