一眉道人 · Red-line Torpedo Barb

Overview

A red stripe along the front half of the body, a dark lateral band, and black-and-yellow tail markings make Sahyadria denisonii conspicuous in a group. It is generally peaceful, but its appeal should be matched with substantial swimming room and consistently clean, oxygen-rich water.

Distribution & habitat

This species is endemic to Kerala and Karnataka in southern India. Remaining populations are fragmented among several river systems. It gathers in rocky pools in pristine streams and upper river reaches, often beside dense bankside vegetation. Greater activity around dawn and dusk has been suggested.

Aquarium setup

A well-maintained aquarium is usually sufficient, and aquatic plants are not normally damaged. Keep organic waste from accumulating, provide ample oxygen and moderate circulation, and replace around one-third to one-half of the water each week. Leave extensive open water for a group to swim together.

Diet & feeding

Its natural diet combines worms, insects, crustaceans, plant matter, and organic debris. Use a balanced selection of sinking prepared foods with regular live or frozen bloodworms, Daphnia, and Artemia. Carotenoid-rich foods are said to strengthen the red color, but variety remains the central feeding priority.

Behaviour & compatibility

Compatible community fishes can share its aquarium. Keep at least six to ten individuals to accommodate its schooling nature. A more belligerent lookalike is sometimes sold under the same name, making correct identification relevant to compatibility.

Sexual dimorphism

Females usually become slightly larger and deeper-bodied, with somewhat less intense color than males.

Breeding

Commercial production is substantial and is presumed to involve hormonal stimulation. Occasional private successes also exist. In one group spawning, eggs were placed among moss in soft, acidic water after a gradual pH reduction; some adults apparently developed a bluish back. A large group may favor spawning together, although that explanation remains tentative. Exceptional breeding conditions should not be adopted automatically as routine maintenance conditions.

Notes

Wild populations have faced collection pressure, pollution, and habitat damage. The absence of a black dorsal-fin blotch and the bright red stripe extending below the middle of that fin help separate this species from a commonly confused relative. Selectively bred gold fish and artificial hybrids have also appeared.