Denison barb

Dawkinsia denisonii

The Denison barb has a uniform appearance: outside the spawning season, there are no clearly discernible external differences between the sexes. It is only during the spawning season that the sexes can be distinguished on the basis of their external characteristics.

Red List

Endangered

The Denison barb shows no sexual dimorphism; in other words, males and females look the same outside the spawning season. During the spawning season, from November to January, which coincides with the north-east monsoon, the females are, however, more plump. During this period, the fish become highly territorial.

Denison barbs do not care for their young. This strategy enables them to lay more eggs, as no energy needs to be spent on guarding them. The greatest threat to this species is overfishing for the aquarium trade and declining water quality caused by pesticides.

Taxonomy

Carp fish (Cyprinidae), genus Dawkinsia (15 species)

Habitat

Mountain streams in Western India

Behaviour and ecology

in swarms in rocky shore areas with dense vegetation

Diet

Plant parts, insect larvae, invertebrates