Puntius nigronotus Plamoottil, 2015
Malabar black-backed barb
Malabar black-backed barb
Puntius nigronotus
photo by Plamoottil, M.

Family:  Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps), subfamily: Smiliogastrinae
Max. size:  10.51 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  Asia: India.
Diagnosis:  This species is distinguished from all its congeners by the following characters: a blackish dorsal side; shorter maxillary barbels (12.3 % HL); shorter width of mouth gape (22.6 5 % HL); a higher body (BDD 35.8 % SL); with a row of elongated tiny black dots present on dorsal fin, the latter is shorter (21.1 % SL) and with 9 branched rays, last unbranched dorsal fin ray feebly ossified and flexible; anal fin with 6 branched rays; lateral line scales 27; greater pre-pelvic distance (52.6 % SL); a wide caudal peduncle (9.1 % SL); straight lateral line (Ref. 104740).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:  Type locality, Kerala, Mananthavady River, Wayanad, ZSI FF 5285 (holotype of Puntius nigronotus, 8.23 cm SL) (Ref. 104740).


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