Pethia didi

Overview

A peaceful northern Myanmar fish, Pethia didi has vertical dark marks behind the gill cover and on the tail base. Dense planting and a dark bottom enhance its appearance, while male displays add interest. Similar two-blotched relatives still require careful identification.

Distribution & habitat

Records cluster around Lake Indawgyi and Myitkyina in Kachin's Irrawaddy drainage, to which it may be endemic. Hpa Lap Chaung, the type site, runs swiftly through shaded bamboo forest over mud and stone, with clear, slightly tannin-tinted water.

Other sites feature algae-coated rocks or leaves. Seasonal variation means a single field water reading cannot represent constant year-round conditions.

Aquarium setup

Decoration is flexible, although a dark substrate, thick planting, floating shade, and roots tend to improve comfort and color. Filtration need not be forceful. Some circulation is appreciated, and a stream-style arrangement can work.

Natural seasonal temperature changes do not remove the need for stable soft-water care within its established aquarium range.

Diet & feeding

Diatoms, algae, detritus, and small invertebrates are presumed natural foods. Feeding is easy in captivity: combine good flakes or granules with small live or frozen bloodworms, water fleas, and Artemia. Include some plant- or algae-enriched preparations.

Behaviour & compatibility

It is generally very peaceful. Comparable-sized fishes with similar environmental needs, appropriate loaches, and bottom-dwelling cyprinids are prospective companions.

Choose a mixed-sex group of eight to ten or more. Other suitable schooling fish can provide reassurance, while males show stronger colors when competing for mates or rank.

Sexual dimorphism

Adult males are distinctly smaller, slimmer, and more colorful, especially in breeding condition.

Breeding

Methods used for related small cyprinids offer a provisional approach, not a confirmed species-specific recipe. A separate dim aquarium can use mature near-neutral water at the warmer end of the suitable range, gentle air-driven filtration, and mesh, artificial grass, marbles, fine plants, or mops to protect eggs.

Try one or two conditioned pairs, or roughly six of each sex in larger quarters. The related-species method anticipates possible spawning next morning; remove adults once eggs appear. Hatching typically takes 24–48 hours, with free swimming about a day later. Start with infusoria-grade food, then microworms or Artemia nauplii. These timings are borrowed guidance, not guarantees for this fish.

Notes

Two vertical body blotches occur in several relatives. A deeper body, steeper head profile, incomplete lateral line, two rows of male dorsal markings, and one row in the anal fin provide additional clues beyond the blotches alone.