Photo: Cedricguppy - Loury Cédric, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Odessa barb
Pethia padamya
4.5 cm
Adult size
90 L
Minimum volume
8
Minimum group
5 years
Lifespan
Water parameters
Understand these values- Genus
- Pethia
- Diet
- omnivore
- Social life
- shoal
In the wild
Overview
The Odessa barb has been in the trade since the early 1970s, but its origin remained a mystery until 2003. First appearing in Ukraine, hence its name taken from the port of Odessa, it was thought to be a hybrid of related species. Described in 2008, it bears the Burmese word for “ruby”, referring to the bright red of the males.
- Scientific name
- Pethia padamya (Kullander & Britz, 2008)
- Classification
- Cypriniformes › Cyprinidae
- IUCN Red List
- Data deficient (DD)
Natural habitat
Central Myanmar: around Pyin Oo Lwin (Mandalay region) and the lower Chindwin
Observations (GBIF) and localities Native countries Rivers and lakes
The type specimens come from an artificial pond fed by a small stream, in the village of Toe Gyi, just above the Anisakan Falls. The water there is clear, poor in plants and flows over limestone, over gravel or mud.
Behaviour
Very peaceful, ideal in a well-planned community tank, ideally with midwater cyprinids of similar size, loaches and bottom-dwelling cyprinids (Crossocheilus, Garra). A shoaling fish. A foraging omnivore: easy to feed, with small live or frozen prey for condition and colour.
Sources:FishBase Seriously Fish GBIF · Base map: Natural Earth