Order : Cypriniformes
Family : CYPRINIDAE
Species : Desmopuntius johorensis
Maximum Length : 12 cm

Desmopuntius johorensis (Striped Barb) is a small cyprinid which occurs in parts of the Malay Peninsula and on the island of Borneo.

It is easily identified by the dark stripes on each flank, which sometimes bifurcate around the mid-body area. Its body colour is typically golden on top and paler beneath. Its tail fin is strongly forked.

According to Fishbase, this species thrives in slightly acidic water (pH of 6.0 to 6.5) in forest streams and rivers. Its food items include zooplankton (i.e. tiny floating or drifting invertebrates), worms, small crustaceans, such as freshwater shrimps, and some plant matter.

It may be seen in mixed shoals with other cyprinids including barbs (Barbodes spp.) and rasboras (Rasbora spp.).


Fig 1 : Example at the surface of a lowland forest stream at Lambir Hills National Park, Sarawak, Borneo. The other two species in this image are a type of spotted barb (Barbodes sp.) and a Headband Rasbora (Rasbora cephalotaenia).

Fig 2 : Another pair from Lambir Hills, in a deeper pool.

Fig 3 : This shaded pool, in a slow-flowing stretch of a lowland forest stream at Lambir Hills, supports a diversity of fish species, including Desmopuntius johorensis.


References :

Fishbase - Desmopuntius johorensis