Odessa barb

The Odessa barb (Pethia padamya) is a species of cyprinid fish known from Central Myanmar, where it is known to occur in an artificial pond above the Anisakan Falls and also from the lower Chindwin River.[2] For many years it has been known to the aquarium hobby, where it has frequently been confused with the less colourful ticto barb), but it was only described scientifically in 2008.[3][4]

Odessa barb
Odessa barb males show very bright red coloration

Data Deficient  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cypriniformes
Family: Cyprinidae
Subfamily: Barbinae
Genus: Pethia
Species:
P. padamya
Binomial name
Pethia padamya
(S. O. Kullander & Britz, 2008)
Synonyms
  • Puntius padamya S. O. Kullander & Britz, 2008

Description
Female Odessa barb

The Odessa barb is a small fish with a laterally compressed body. Among 28 adult specimens (12 males, 16 females) measured in its species description, both sexes were up to about 4.6 centimetres (1.8 in) SL.[5] Hobby aquarist profiles have noted a length of 7 centimetres (2.8 in) SL. This species exhibits sexual dimorphism, which allows for easy identification of the sexes.

Male Odessa barb
Another male Odessa barb

The male has a beige to light brown background color, but is noted for the bright red stripe running the length of the body. The male also has red irises with a narrow black streak through the middle of the eye. The dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins of the male are yellowish green in color, with contrasting black spots.

The female is plainly colored, with a light beige body and a reflecting silvery sheen on the scales. The fins of the female are a light yellowish green; however, only the dorsal fin contains the contrasting black spots, which are fainter than those of the male. Both sexes have a black and prominent spot in the dorsal area, as well as a smaller spot in the caudal area.

Etymology

This fish is known by the ornamental fish species name "Odessa barb" because it was said to have first appeared in pet enthusiast's circles in Odessa, Ukraine in the early 1970s. The word "padamya" is Burmese for ruby, and was chosen in reference to the alternate ornamental fish name "ruby barb" and the vivid color marking of the male.[6]

In the aquarium
Colony of Odessa barb in a home aquarium

Like most barbs, the Odessa barb is an active and generally peaceful fish that is best kept in a community tank. It is a schooling fish that can become semi-aggressive towards other tank mates if it is not kept in groups of 5 or more individuals. As this fish is fast moving, it is best kept in a tank with open spaces. The Odessa barb is a voracious eater that will take most foods given, including flakes and frozen foods, such as Bloodworms. The Odessa barb can be kept with other peaceful fish species including various Tetras, various Corydoras catfish, and the Ram cichlid.

See also

References
Notes
  1. Singh, L. 2010. Pethia padamya. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 3 May 2013.
  2. Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2013). "Pethia padamya" in FishBase. April 2013 version.
  3. Seriouslyfish: Pethia padamya. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  4. Kullander, S. O.; and R. Britz (2008). Puntius padamya, a new species of Cyprinid fish from Myanmar (Teleostei: Cyprinidae). Electronic Journal of Ichthyology, Bulletin of the European Ichthyology Society 2: 56-66.
  5. Kullander and Britz 2008, p. 59.
  6. Kullander and Britz 2008, p. 61.
Bibliography
  • Kullander, Sven O.; Ralf Britz (October 2008). "Puntius padamya,' a new species of Cyprinid fish from Myanmar" (PDF). Electronic Journal of Ichthyology. 4 (2): 56–66.
  • "Odessa Barb". Retrieved 28 April 2011.
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