All fish / Cyprinidae

Muvattupuzha Barb

Pethia muvattupuzhaensis

Also known as muvattupuzha barb, malabar barb, puntius muvattupuzhaensis, kerala barb

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This is a small, deep-bodied barb from the streams of Kerala in southern India. It is silvery with dark spots near the tail and along the dorsal fin, and males in breeding dress show red tones. Keepers who like Indian species value it as an uncommon, peaceful shoaling fish for planted tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

4 cm

Temperature

20 to 26 °C

pH

6.5 to 7.5

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

Shoal of 8 or more

Diet

Omnivore: small live and frozen foods such as bloodworm and daphnia, plus quality flakes and micro pellets

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

India: Muvattupuzha River basin, Kerala (Western Ghats)

Breeding

It scatters eggs among plants and gives no parental care, much like related Pethia barbs. Breeding in captivity has not been well documented, but a separate tank with fine-leaved plants or mesh and soft, slightly acidic water would be a sensible start.

Good to know

It is rarely sold and is native to a small area under pressure from habitat loss, so only buy from responsible sources. It looks like other small spotted Pethia barbs, so it can be mislabelled.