Denison barb

The Denison barb, Denison's barb, Miss Kerala, red-line torpedo barb, or roseline shark (Dawkinsia denisonii) is an endangered species of cyprinid fish endemic to the fast-flowing hill streams and rivers of the Western Ghats in India.<ref name=fishbase>Template:FishBase species</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> It is commonly seen in the aquarium trade; pet collection caused it to become endangered and is its single major threat.<ref name="iucn status 18 November 2021" /><ref name=seriouslyfish>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Physical characteristicsEdit

File:Barbus denisonii Day 143.jpg

The fish is characterized by a torpedo-shaped body with silver scales, a red line running from their snout, through the eye, back towards the middle of the body; and below the red line, a black line that runs the length of the fish to the tail. As they mature, a distinctive green/blue marking on top of the head develops. This species reputedly reaches a length of Template:Convert TL,<ref name=fishbase/> but typically will only reach Template:Convert.<ref name=seriouslyfish/> They are active shoaling fishes.<ref name=seriouslyfish/>

The species was described by Francis Day and named after Sir William Denison.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Habitat and threatsEdit

Denison barb is endemic to the Achenkovil, Pamba and Chaliyar rivers. Specifically, they are found in four locations — Cheenkannipuzha (a major tributary of Valapattanam River), the Achankovil river, the Chaliyar river and near Mundakayam town.<ref name="hindu.com">Template:Cite news</ref> The species has an estimated range of Template:Convert. S. denisonii is a benthopelagic species that is gregarious and shoals are known to occur in rocky pools with thick vegetation along their banks. They thrive in a subtropical climate in water with a 6.8–7.8 pH, a water hardness of 5–25 dGH and a temperature range of Template:Convert.

As reported by Practical Fishkeeping in January 2009, new research by team of scientists from India suggests that the species is being over-exploited for the aquarium trade, potentially placing it at risk of extinction.<ref>Practical Fishkeeping (11 January 2009), Kerala government bans fishing for this species.{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In spite of being listed as endangered by local assessment reports<ref>Molur, S. and Walker, S., Report of the workshop on ‘Conservation Assessment and Management Plan for Fresh Water Fishes of India’, Zoo Outreach Organization and NBFGR, Lucknow, 1998,p. 156.</ref> the fish had been promoted as an 'export item' by several government agencies. The population structure, age, growth, mortality and harvest intensity in the Valapattanam River was studied and suggests that the species is being over-exploited.<ref name=Sajan2015>Template:Cite journal</ref>

The fish was most likely collected and exported out of India in 1996. In 1997, it won the third prize at 'Aquarama 1997' (world exhibition on Ornamental fish) under the 'New Species Category'.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> By 2007–08 it constituted about 60–65% of the total live ornamental fish exported from India which was worth US$1.54 million. Though the Government of Kerala banned the fishing and export of the endangered barb, it is yet to be listed under the National Wildlife Protection Act. The golden form of this Denison barb is extinct from the wild but few Aquarium hobbyists have it in their collection.

In the aquariumEdit

This fish is a relatively new addition to the fish keeping hobby. The Denison's barb is a schooling fish that is usually kept in groups. It tends to be peaceful but some have been known to be slightly aggressive around food, especially if kept in less space than they require. They eat bloodworms, shrimp, meat, fish flake and some vegetation. A similar fish, Dawkinsia chalakkudiensis is sometimes confused with this fish, but it is a larger, less colourful and a more aggressive species.

BreedingEdit

Over the years many efforts have been made to breed this rapidly depleting species in captivity, initially with limited success. In 2009, success came from the work carried out at the Fisheries College, Kerala by Bony Joseph. Breeding efforts have also been carried out by Chester Zoo and two amateur fish-lovers from Chennai (India), Venkatesh and Murali.<ref name="hindu.com"/> These efforts may pave the way for standardizing the process and would be a major boost to conservation and the ornamental fish trade in India. Large numbers are now being bred in captivity at commercial facilities.<ref name=seriouslyfish/><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

ReferencesEdit

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External linksEdit

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