Khavli Barb

Puntius khavliensis is one of several Puntius species endemic to the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot of India, found in the cool, clear rivers and streams flowing through the forests of Maharashtra. It is a moderately sized barb with an olive-gold body bearing a series of prominent dark lateral blotches and, in breeding males, a pronounced flush of orange-red in the dorsal, ventral, and caudal fins that makes the species one of the more attractively coloured endemic barbs.

In the aquarium it is a willing community fish that adapts well to captivity. It prefers slightly cooler conditions than many common tropical fish, reflecting its upland Ghats origin, and does particularly well in biotope tanks with other Ghats endemics. Dense planting, driftwood, and moderate current replicate the forest stream conditions of its homeland. Groups of eight or more are needed for confident behaviour.

Breeding follows the scatter-spawning pattern of the genus. Conditioning on live and frozen food in a slightly cooled spawning tank reliably induces spawning over fine-leaved plants or spawning mops.

Water: 22–27 °C, pH 6.0–7.0, soft and clean; slight current beneficial. Tank: 100 L minimum; planted biotope with driftwood; dark substrate. Feeding: Omnivore; flake, micro-pellets, Daphnia, blanched vegetables, brine shrimp. Breeding: Egg-scatter; condition on live food; slightly cooled spawning tank; remove adults. Compatibility: Peaceful; ideal in Western Ghats biotope community.