The Channa barb (''Eechathalakenda ophicephalus'') (formerly ''Puntius ophicephalus''), is a
species
In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...
of
cyprinid
Cyprinidae is a family of freshwater fish commonly called the carp or minnow family. It includes the carps, the true minnows, and relatives like the barbs and barbels. Cyprinidae is the largest and most diverse fish family and the largest ver ...
fish
endemic
Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found else ...
to
India
India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...
where it occurs in hill streams in forested areas. This species can reach a length of
TL.
This species is also found in the
aquarium trade. This species is the only member of its genus.
[Pethiyagoda, R., Meegaskumbura, M. & Maduwage, K. (2012)]
A synopsis of the South Asian fishes referred to ''Puntius'' (Pisces: Cyprinidae).
''Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters, 23 (1): 69–95.''
References
Cyprininae
Fish described in 1941
{{Cyprininae-stub