Order : Cypriniformes
Family : CYPRINIDAE
Species : Osteochilus waandersii
Maximum Length : 21 cm

Osteochilus waandersii (Waandersii's Bony-lipped Barb) inhabits clear, freshwater, tropical streams. It bears a thick black stripe along the entire length of each flank, and reddish fins - the tail fin in particular can be deep red in colour.

It is benthopelagic, meaning it is free-swimming but tends to remain close to the substrate or in mid-water. It prefers fast-flowing streams and rivers, with gravelly or stony substrate. During periods of high water it is known to explore into adjacent flooded areas. It feeds mainly on plant matter and other organic detritus.

In larger river systems the species is migratory, returning seasonally to its preferred spawning grounds.

The species ranges from Thailand and parts of Indochina (particularly the Mekong River) to Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and Borneo. It is not known from Singapore.


Figs 1 and 2 : Two examples in a rocky stream at Gunung Belumut, Johor, Peninsular Malaysia.

Fig 3 : Typical rocky stream habitat in Peninsular Malaysia.