Long Fin Kerala Barb

This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following characters: longer head, 30.0- 34.6 % SL; its operculum extends beyond pectoral fin base as a soft membranous flap; predorsal scales 8; lateral line 23-24 + 1- 2 scales (at the base of caudal fin); short dorsal fin located behind ventral fin origin, the third dorsal ray osseous, rigid and strong, its spinous portion longer, 51.2- 52.2 % HL; elongated pectoral fin reaches pelvic fin and pelvic fin reaches vent; 3-4 longitudinal lines below lateral line and a narrow and short depression present on occiput. Coloration: silvery body, dorsal fin light orange red, pectoral and anal fin greenish yellow, ventral fin yellow, caudal fin dusky; operculum with minute black spots; a diffuse, inconspicuous dusky spot in 21 and 22 scales (Ref. 103709).

Dorsal soft rays (total): 11; Analsoft rays: 8

This edible species can also be utilized as an ornamental species fish. It was collected from a polluted water channel flowing through the heart of the Kayamkulam city, and is considered to survive to some extent in contaminated water bodies (Ref. 103709).

The longfin Kerala barb (Puntius dolichopterus) is a species of fish in the family Cyprinidae. The species has been discovered, named and described by Prof. Dr. Mathews Plamoottil, Head of the Department of Zoology, Baby John Memorial Govt. College, Chavara, Kollam, Kerala. It was collected from a small water stream flowing in the heart of Alappuzha district's Kayamkulam city in Kerala, India.