Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
FISHES OF Lanka.
01. Acanthocobitis uropthalmus.
SRI LANKA. 02. Aplochelius dayi.
03. Apalocheliys werneri.
04. Belontia signata.
UNIVERSITY OF RUHUNA, 05. Channa orientalis.
DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES BIOLOGY, 06. Clarias brachysoma.
MATARA
07. Danio pathirana.
kkamal@nara.ac.lk
08. Esomous thermoicos.
09. Garra ceylonensis.
10. Garra phillipsi.
Reptiles 156 81
1
Acanthocobitis uropthalmus *Common name-Banded mountainloach,
(Vairan ehirava)
ehirava) Vairan ehirava,Tiger loach.
*Max. size-4.0 cm TL (male/unsexed).
*Climate-Tropical; 8°N - 6°N
*Environment- Demersal; freshwater .
*Distribution- Asia: restricted to the south western
lowlands from Kelani River to Nilwala River,
Sri Lanka.
*Biology- Found in shallow, flowing waters over
pebble substrate. Probably feeds on invertebrates
and detritus. A hardy species that is among the
favorites in the aquarium fish trade .
A. uropthalmus.
Acanthocobitis uropthalmus (Vairan • Acanthocobitis urophthalmus picture
(Acuro_u0.jpg) by Ott, G. ,
ehirava)
ehirava)
Acanthocobitis urophthalmus picture (Acuro_u0.jpg) by Ott, G. ,
*Class-Teleostomi.
*Sub class-Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes).
*Order-Cyprinodontiformes.
*Family-Aplocheilidae.
*Sub family-Aplocheilinae .
*Genus- Aplocheilus.
*Species- Aplocheilus dayi.
2
*Common name-Day,s killifish, Uda handaya.
*Max. size-9.0 cm TL(male/unsexed) . Aplocheilus lineatus dayi (Uda handeya)
handeya)
*Environment-Benthopelagic, non-migratory,
freshwater; brackish.
*Climate- tropical; 20 - 25°C.
*Distribution-Asia: endemic to Sri Lanka.
Confined to the Kelani basin and the
adjacent coastal areas.
*Biology-Usually inhabits shallow, heavily
shaded forest streams with a silt substrate.
Also occurs in brackish mangrove swamps,
often together with Aplocheilus parvus.
Feeds on small insects, insect larvae and fish fry.
3
Aplocheilus werneri (Iri hadeya)
A. werneri.
4
Belontia signata (Thalkossa)
Thalkossa)
Belontia signata..
5
Channa Orientalis (Kola kanaya)
Channa orientalis
Clarias brachysoma
06. Clarias brachysoma.(Gunther, 1864) (Magura)
Magura)
Class-Teleostomi.
Sub class-Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) .
Order-Siluriformes (catfish) .
Family-Claridae (Airbreathing catfishes) .
Genus- Clarias.
Species-Clarias brachysoma.
6
07. Danio pathirana.(Kottelat & Pethiyagoda,1990).
Clarias brachysoma (Magura)
Class-Teleostomi.
Sub class-Actinopterygii(ray-finned fishes).
Order-Cypriniformes((carps).
Family-Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps).
Genus- Danio
Species- Danio pathirana.
Danio pathirana.
7
08. Esomous thermoicos.(Valenciennes, 1842). Esomous danrica thermoicos
(Ravul dandiya)
dandiya)
Class-Teleostomi.
Sub class-Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) .
Order- Cypriniformes (carps).
Family- Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps).
Genus- Esomous
Species-Esomous thermoicos.
E.thermoicos.
Class-Teleostomi.
Sub class-Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order-Cypriniformes.(Carps)
Family-Cyprinidae. (Minnows or carps)
Genus- Garra
Species-Garra ceylonensis.
8
Garra ceylonensis *Common names-Gal pandi, Stone sucker.
(Gal pandiya)
pandiya) *Max. size-15.0 cm TL (male/unsexed).
*Climate-Tropical; 24 - 26°C.
*Environment- Benthopelagic; freshwater; pH range: 7.0
*Distribution-Throughout the island.
*Biology-Occurs in slow to moderately flowing rivers
and streams. Adults and juveniles (>=5 cm.) with
fully developed sucking discs are associated with
rocky substrates. Juveniles are found throughout
the water column, generally free swimming in search
of food. Reported to ascend small, rocky streams to
breed. Feeds essentially on algae (diatoms). Popular
with the aquarium fish trade .
9
Garra ceylonensis.
10. Garra Phillipsi.(Deraniyagala,1933)
Class-Teleostomi.
Sub class-Actinopterygii (ray-finned
fishes).
Order-Cypriniformes. (carps) .
Family-Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps).
Genus- Garra
Species-Garra Phillipsi.
4. Garra phillipsi
11. Heteropneustes microps. (Gunther,1864).
Class-Teleostomi.
Sub class-Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order-Siluriformes (catfish)
Family-Heteropneustidae (Airsac catfishes)
Genus- Heteropneustes
Species- Heteropneustes microps
10
*Common name-No common name.
Heteropneustes microps *Max size-15.0 cm TL (male/unsexed).
*Climate-Tropical; 22 - 26°C.
(hunga)
hunga) *Environment-Demersal; freshwater; brackish .
*Distribution-Recorded from Dambuwa, near
Gampaha (basin of the Attanagalu Oya , but recorded
from India .
*Biology-Occurs mainly in swamps and similar still, often turbid
waters (e.g. irrigation ditches). Forms loose schools of about ten
individuals of approximately the same size. Enters brackish water. Can
survive temperatures up to 39.8°C . An omnivore with nocturnal feeding
habits. Very easily maintained in captivity. Sympatric with H. fossilis
which is more abundant in the type locality. Best method of catch is
dewatering of small water holes during drought period .
*Comments-Most of the habitat of this fish has largely been lost due to
urbanization. Population is under threat due to agricultural effluents .
Horadandiya atukarali
12. Horadandiya atukorali.(Deraniyagala,1943) (Hora dandiya)
dandiya)
Class-Teleostomi.
Sub class- Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes).
Order-Cypriniformes (carps).
Family-Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps).
Genus- Horadandiya
Species- Horadandiya atukorali.
11
*Common name-Horadandiya.
*Max. size-3.0 cm TL (male/unsexed).
H. atukorali.
*Climate-Tropical; 24 - 26°C.
*Environment- Pelagic; freshwater; brackish; pH range: 6.0 - 6.5.
*Distribution-Habitats in Muthurajawela swamp.
*Biology-Inhabits still or slow-moving water, frequenting swamps, rice
fields and similar still waters. Found in weedy ponds of coastal plains
Common in less saline mangrove swamps and in less polluted canals.
Often encountered together with Aplocheilus. Feeds on insects.
*Comments-This species forms a noticeable proportion of the kuni.
(Small shrimp).
Labeo fisheri
(Gadaya)
Gadaya) *Common names-Gadeya, Mountain labeo,
Green labeo.
*Max size- 30.0 cm TL (male/unsexed).
*Climate-Tropical.
*Environment- Benthopelagic; freshwater.
*Distribution-Occurs only in a few rocky
streams and the Mahaweli River basin,
particularly streams descending from the
Knuckles range.
12
*Biology-Occurs in a few localized, rocky, fast-flowing
mountain streams. Has not been recorded from unshaded,
5. Labeo fisheri (Gadaya)
Gadaya)
silty or turbid waters (Ref. 11966). Moves fast through the
water, staying close to the bottom. Juveniles have been
observed picking algae off submerged rocks. Feeds on
algae. Occurs sympatrically with (and possibly mistaken for)
Puntius sp. 'martenstyn' throughout the known range.
May be greatly endangered by the damming of Mahawel River.
Too rare and difficult to capture for food .
*Comments-Shade loss and siltation pose threats to
fish population (Ref. 11966). May be greatly endangered
by the damming of Mahaweli River.
13
*Biology-Inhabits shallow, slow-flowing rivulets,
heavily shaded, with leaf debris. This fish is not
visible from the water surface, being concealed
beneath leaf debris. It is too rare to be of value to
the aquarium trade which in any case exports large
numbers of the superficially similar Lepidocephalus
thermalis .
*Comment-Population is under threat due to
deforestation .
Lepidocephalichthysis jonklaasi.
14
*Common names-Malpulutta,Ornate paradise fish.
*Max. size-4.0 cm TL( male/unsexed).
*Climate-Tropical; 24 - 28°C.
*Environment-Demersal; freshwater; pH range: 5.5 - 7.5.
*Distribution-restricted to south western Sri Lanka
in Colombo-Galle-Ratnapura triangle. Was first recorded
from Hettipola (near Kurunegala).
*Biology-Restricted to forested areas and small,
shallow, slow flowing silted streams with leaf debris
and thick marginal vegetation. Stays close to the
substrate and is very seldom found in unshaded waters.
Feeds on fish fry, plankton and insect larvae. Bubble
nest builder Malpulutta kretseri.
Class-Teleostomi.
Sub class-Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order-Cypriniformes (carps)
Sub order-Cyprinoidei
Family-Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps)
Sub family-Cyprininae.
Genus- Puntius
Species- Puntius asoka
15
*Biology-Found in relatively deep (1-2 m)
fast-flowing water, in areas with gravel or
6. Puntius asoka (Asoka pethiya)
pethiya)
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. Declining numbers
due to intensive fishing by fish exporters .
*Comment-Declining population is due to intensive
fishing by fish exporters and siltation.
Class-Teleostomi.
Sub class-Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes).
Order-Cypriniformes (carps) .
Sub order-Cyprinoidei.
Family-Cyprinidae.
Sub family-Cyprininae.
Genus- Puntius
Species- Puntius bimaculatus.
16
*Common names-Ipilli kadaya, Redside barb.
*Max. size-7.0 cm TL(male/unsexed) .
*Climate-Tropical; 22 - 24°C.
*Environment-Benthopelagic; freshwater;
pH range: 6.5.
*Distribution-Found throughout the island,
but is more abundant in the wet zone.
*Biology-Inhabits hill streams, lowland swamps
and dry zone rivers and tanks. Feeds mainly on
green algae and detritus. Popular for
aquarium purposes.
Class-Teleostomi.
Sub class-Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes).
Order-Cypriniformes (carps)
Sub order-Cyprinoidei.
Family-Cyprinidae.
Sub family-Cyprininae.
Genus- Puntius
Species- Puntius cummingii.
17
8. Puntius cumingii (Pothaya)
Pothaya)
P. cummingii.
Class-Teleostomi.
Sub class-Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order-Cypriniformes (carps).
Sub order-Cyprinoidei.
Family-Cyprinidae.
Sub family-Cyprininae.
Genus- Puntius
Species- Puntius nigrofasciatus.
18
*Comment-Significant decrease in number of 10. Puntius nigrofasciatus (Bulath
more colorful varieties due to the aquarium export trade. hapaya)
hapaya)
P. nigrofasciatus.
19
*Common names-Black lined barb, Hitha massa,Side striped barb. Puntius pleurotaenia (Hitha massa)
massa)
*Max. size-16.0 cm TL (male/unsexed)
*Climate-Tropical; 22 - 26°C.
*Environment-Benthopelagic; freshwater; pH range: 6.5 - 7.5.
*Distribution-Restricted to the lower south western hills
of the central massif, within the catchments of the
Kelani and Nilwala Rivers.
*Biology- Tends to form small shoals. More abundant in
the larger, clearwater, undisturbed, deep (>1m),
heavily shaded streams. Stays in the middle of the water
column .Feeds on filamentous algae, terrestrial insects and
detritus. No observations on breeding in captivity. Maturity
at 6.4 cm. Does well at 29°C water temperature. Exploited
by the tropical fish export trade, larger specimens are eaten .
Class- Teleostomi.
Sub class-Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes).
Order-Cypriniformes (carps).
Sub order-Cyprinoidei.
Family-Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps) .
Sub family-Cyprinae.
Genus- Puntius
Species- Puntius srilankensis.
Puntius srilankensis
*Common names- Blotched filamented barb, Dankudu pethiya.
(Lay titaya)
titaya) *Max. size- 10.0 cm TL (male/unsexed).
*Climate-Tropical.
*Environment-Benthopelagic; freshwater.
*Distribution-restricted to the eastern slopes of the
Knuckles Hills in the Kalu River at Pallegama, Sri Lanka
at elevations of 300-500 m.
*Biology-A mid-water fish found in areas of rapidly flowing
water with pebbly substrate (not found in silty substrate).
With a clearly defined territory (of several square meters) and
without lateral spatial preferences. Individuals of the same size
often form loose schools.
20
*Comments-
§ Very rare and the only known existing
12. Puntius srilankensis (Lay titaya)
titaya)
population is in imminent danger of extinction due
to the siltation of the Kalu caused by gem mining
upstream.
§ Presently not available in sufficient numbers to be
exported by the aquarium trade.
§ Very rare and in imminent danger of extinction. Deforestation
and siltation caused by upstream mining pose threats to the
population .
Class- Teleostomi.
Sub class- Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes).
Order- Cypriniformes (carps)
Family-Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps)
Sub family-Cyprininae.
Genus- Puntius
Species- Puntius titteya.
21
*Comments-
§ The more colorful varieties are possibly being 13. Puntius titteya (Lay titteya)
over fished for the aquarium trade.
§ Pollution of streams and deforestation probably pose
bigger threats.
Puntius titteya.
Class- Teleostomi.
Sub class-Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes).
Order-Cypriniformes (carps).
Sub order-Cyprinoidei.
Family-Cyprinidae. (Minnows or carps).
Sub family-Rasborinae.
Genus- Rasbora
Species- Rasbora vaterifloris.
22
*Common names- Golden rasbora, Hal mal dandiya, Veteria
14 Rasbora vaterifloris (Hal mal
flower rasbora. dandiya)
dandiya)
*Max. size-4.0 cm TL (male/unsexed)
*Climate-Tropical; 25 - 29°C.
*Environment-Benthopelagic; freshwater; pH range: 6.0 - 6.0 .
*Distribution-Found only in the middle catchment area of Kalu to
Nilwala basins.
*Biology-Occurs in shallow, cool, clear, quiet, heavily shaded
forest streams, usually with a silty substrate and often in areas
with a large amount of leaf debris in the water. Feeds on
terrestrial insects (Diptera and Coleoptera,) and detritus.
Males slimmer and brightly colored than females.
*Comment- Threatened by over fishing for aquarium trade,
deforestation and pollution.
Class-Teleostomi.
Sub class-Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order- Cypriniformes(carps).
Sub order- Cyprinoidei.
Family- Cyprinidae. (Minnows or carps)
Sub family-Rasborinae.
Genus- Rasbora
Species- Rasbora wilpita
23
26. Schismatogobius deraniyagala. (Kottelat & Schismatogobius deraniyagalai
Pethiyagoda, 1989). (Redneck goby)
Class-Teleostomi.
Sub class-Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) .
Order-Perciformes (perch-likes).
Sub order-Gobioidei.
Family-Gobiidae.
Genus- Schismatogobius
Species- Schismatogobius deraniyagala.
24
*Common names- Banded mountain loach,Kandu ehirava.
*Max. size- 8.0 cm TL (male/unsexed).
Schistura notostigma (Kandu ehirava)
ehirava)
*Climate- Tropical; 22 - 24°C.
*Environment-Benthopelagic; freshwater; pH range: 6.0 - 8.0.
*Distribution- Fairly common (chances are about 50%).
*Biology- Found usually browsing among pebbles in shallow,
flowing water. Can ascend steep inclines and also occurs in
even the highest mountain streams.
Class- Teleostomi.
Sub class- Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) .
Order- Perciformes (perch-likes) .
Sub order-Gobioidei.
Family-Gobiidae. (Gobies) .
Genus- Sicypterus
Species- Sicypterus halei.
25
29. Sicyopus jonklaasi. (Klausewitz & Henrich,
Sicyopterus halei (Red tailed goby) 1986).
Class-Teleostomi.
Sub class- Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes).
Order- Perciformes (perch-likes).
Sub order- Gobiodei.
Family-Gobiidae.
Genus- Sicyopus
Species- Sicyopus jonklaasi.
26
Threatened to endemic fish biodiversity- Reference-
Prepared by,
KOLITHA KAMAL
27