Systomus asoka

Asoka barb
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cypriniformes
Family: Cyprinidae
Genus: Systomus
Species: S. asoka
Binomial name
Systomus asoka
(Kottelat & Pethiyagoda, 1989)
Synonyms
  • Puntius asoka Kottelat & Pethiyagoda, 1989

Systomus asoka (Asoka barb) is a species of cyprinid endemic to Sri Lanka where it is found in the upper reaches of the Sitawaka River and its tributaries, and Kelani near Kitulgala. This fish can reach a length of 17 centimetres (6.7 in) TL.[2]

Biology

Systomus asoka inhabit relatively deep (1–2 m), fast-flowing water in areas with gravel or sand substrates. Juveniles ( 1–3 cm TL) shoal together in schools of 30–100 individuals in very shallow water (5–25 cm) downstream whereas adults occupy deeper water (1–2m) upstream. They usually occupy unshaded areas. They are fast swimmers and are not easily identified from water surface. This species can be found in freshwater which has 6.5–7.5 pH range and 25–30°C temperature.[2]

References

  1. Pethiyagoda, R. 1996. Puntius asoka. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 3 May 2013.
  2. 1 2 Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2015). "Systomus asoka" in FishBase. October 2015 version.


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