Family: Cyprinidae
Puntius vittatus — a Cyprinidae from South Asia. Reaches 3.8–5.5 cm; keep at 20–24 °C.
Puntius vittatus, a member of the family Cyprinidae, comes from South Asia, where it inhabits clear streams and rivers over gravel. Mostly peaceful; some species nip fins and omnivore; prepared foods with regular vegetable matter, it grows to 3.8–5.5 cm and adapts well to a properly set-up aquarium in the 20–24 °C range. Other Puntius species in our database include Puntius bimaculatus, Puntius cauveriensis, Puntius chola.
Difficulty: moderate. Mostly peaceful; some species nip fins. Shoaling; keep in groups of 6 or more.
Hold 20–24 °C and keep it stable — 20–24 °C recorded range. Room temperature to heated, depending on origin.
Expect 3.8–5.5 cm as an adult, living active throughout the water column. A 36 L tank or larger gives it room.
Omnivore; prepared foods with regular vegetable matter. Feed two small meals a day rather than one large one.
Mostly peaceful; some species nip fins; shoaling; keep in groups of 6 or more. Good company: Similar-sized peaceful community fish — Similar size and water needs. Keep away from Much smaller fish — May outcompete or bully tiny tankmates.
Its home waters are South Asia — clear streams and rivers over gravel, with moderate, well-oxygenated current.
Low escape risk, but a lid is cheap insurance.
In the aquarium: egg-scatterer; no parental care. Males often slimmer and more colourful.