
Fig 1

Fig 2
|
Order : Cypriniformes
Family : CYPRINIDAE
Species : Barbodes banksi
Maximum Length : 18 cm ?
Typically barb-shaped,
with a pronounced dorsal fin and deeply forked tail, the Saddle Barb
generally inhabits clear forest streams but can also be found in less shady,
open country streams. It occurs in small shoals.
It can be identified in
the field by a large, grey, triangular patch below the reddish dorsal fin,
and sometimes a dark patch towards the base of the tail. Juveniles have
other dark patches in the posterior half of the body.
The Saddle Barb is easily
confused in the field with a similar species, the Two-spot Barb S.
binotatus, but the dark patch below the dorsal fin of the latter appears
as a small black round spot.
The species has been
identified in at least Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia. Both S. banksi
and S. binotatus are found in Singapore; S. banksi is only
found in forest streams, while S. binotatus is found in rural areas
where it may have been introduced.
Fig 1 : The dark blotch near the dorsal fin is
well developed in this 8 cm specimen
Fig 2 : Saddle Barbs often swim in mixed shoals with other species, such as the
Spanner Barb Barbodes lateristriga.
References : F1
|