Oreichthys crenuchoides

Indian wedding fins Barbe, males

The Indian high fins Barbe ( Oreichthys crenuchoides ) is a freshwater fish of the carp family (Cyprinidae ). The species was described by Frank Schäfer in 2009, but was known in the aquarium hobby for quite some time. The Style epithet crenuchoides he forgave because it reminded the increased dorsal fin of the males in the Fleckenschwanzsalmler ( Crenuchus spilurus ). The species is only known from the north of the Indian state of West Bengal from the Jorai River, a tributary of the Brahmaputra near the border with Assam.

Features

The investigated in the first description of type specimens of Indian high fins bar were 1.7 to 2.5 cm long, lengths up to 3.4 cm are known. Males are larger than females in general. The body of the fish is typical barbering, slightly high backs, the head short and tall, the mouth terminal and a horseshoe. The upper jaw is longer than the lower jaw, the lips are thin. The largest body height is at the beginning of the dorsal fin. In dominant males the dorsal fin reaches a height of up to 42% of standard length. The lateral line is short and extends only about 2 to 5 provided with pores shed. The Pharyngealzähne stand in three rows, all are slightly elevated at the top. Reuse gill rakes missing.

• Dandruff formula: MLR 17-20 2, SL 5-8.
• Fins formula: Dorsal: 3/ 8; Anal: 3/5, pectoral: 1/12-13, Ventral: 8-9, caudal 9 8.

The caudal fin is forked, both praise are rounded, the lower longer than the upper.

Head and body are gray yellow, the top is darker. The scales on the back and on the sides of the body are dark at the base, resulting in a net-like, dark patterning. The caudal fin base is marked by a dark spot. The first two to four geporten scales on the sidelines have brown spots. The paired fins, the anal and the caudal fin are transparent or light yellow, their fin rays dark gray in some individuals. When the dominant male unbranched dorsal fin rays are black, the branched alternately dark and light, the fin membrane transparent or yellowish, blackish at the ends. In juveniles, females and oppressed males the first two unbranched dorsal fin rays are black, the following unbranched dorsal fin ray and the one or two following branched are marked in the center with a yellow dot, the following branched show a black spot. The fin membrane is transparent. Stressed fish hardly show colors.

Way of life

The previously known habitat of the Indian high fins Barbe is a slow- flowing river with relatively clear water and muddy ground. During the mating season the males are territorial and occupy small territories. Rivals are intimidated by the erection of the dorsal fin, if this does not work follow battles in which grab the opponents against each other on the mouth. The females lay their adhesive eggs as Keilfleckbärblinge to the underside of leaves, roots and rocks and swim it with the belly up.