The genus name Puntigrus is a combination of two words: ‘Puntius’, which is a genus of small freshwater fish, and ‘tigrus’, a word invented to resemble the Latin word ‘tigris’, meaning ‘tiger’. This name was chosen due to the distinctive barred coloration pattern that resembles the coat of a tiger and the common name ‘tiger barb’ used to refer to some species in this group of fish.
Freshwater fish
Freshwater fish are a diverse group of aquatic animals that inhabit freshwater ecosystems, such as rivers, lakes, streams, and wetlands. They have adapted to a wide range of environments and can be found in almost every part of the world. These fish species play important ecological roles and provide a source of food and recreation for humans.
The world’s freshwater fish fauna is incredibly diverse, with over 18,000 species currently recognized, comprising approximately half of all fish species. These fish can range in size from tiny minnows to massive catfish and can have a wide variety of shapes, colors, and behaviors. The study of freshwater fish is known as ichthyology, and it has a long history, dating back to the time of Aristotle.
One of the most important features that freshwater fish have adapted to is the need to maintain osmotic balance. Unlike marine fish, which live in a relatively stable saltwater environment, freshwater fish live in an environment where the concentration of salts and other solutes can vary widely. To maintain osmotic balance, these fish have developed a variety of mechanisms, including the ability to excrete excess salt through their gills and the ability to absorb water and ions through their skin.
Another important adaptation of freshwater fish is their respiratory system. These fish must extract oxygen from water, which has much lower oxygen concentrations than air. Most freshwater fish have gills that are specialized structures that allow for efficient gas exchange between the fish’s blood and the surrounding water. Some species of freshwater fish, such as lungfish, have developed lungs as well, which allows them to breathe air when water oxygen levels are low.
Freshwater fish are important members of aquatic food webs and play vital roles in the ecological health of freshwater ecosystems. These fish can be herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores, and they can occupy different levels of the food chain. Some fish species are also important prey for larger predators, such as birds, reptiles, and mammals.
Humans have been fishing for freshwater fish for thousands of years, and they are an important source of food and recreation for many people around the world. Freshwater fish are an important source of protein and other nutrients in many cultures and are often an affordable and accessible source of food for people living in rural areas. Fishing for sport is also a popular activity, with millions of people participating in freshwater fishing every year.
However, freshwater fish populations face many threats from human activities, such as habitat destruction, overfishing, pollution, and the introduction of non-native species. Many fish species have declined in numbers or gone extinct due to these threats, and efforts to conserve and restore freshwater ecosystems are crucial for the survival of many species.
In conclusion, freshwater fish are an incredibly diverse group of aquatic animals that play important ecological roles and provide food and recreation for humans. Their adaptations to freshwater environments make them unique, and their study is important for understanding the ecology and evolution of freshwater ecosystems. However, freshwater fish populations face many threats, and conservation efforts are crucial to ensure their survival and the health of freshwater ecosystems.
The specific epithet ‘navjotsodhii’ is derived from the name of Professor Navjot S. Sodhi (1962-2011), a well-respected conservationist and ecological researcher who made significant contributions to the study of Southeast Asian wildlife. The species was named in his honor to acknowledge his tireless efforts to promote biodiversity conservation and his significant contributions as the editor of the Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. This species will serve as a reminder of Professor Sodhi’s legacy and his invaluable contributions to the scientific community.
Classification
Order: Cypriniformes
Family: Cyprinidae
Distribution
This particular species of fish is currently restricted to the upper Katingan and Barito river basins located in the province of Kalimantan Tangah (Central Kalimantan) in Indonesian Borneo. It has not been observed in any other geographic region or water body.
The exact location where the type specimen of this species was discovered is known as the Mendawai sub-basin, which is situated within the Katingan basin. This area is located at an altitude of approximately 200 meters above sea level and is characterized by a hilly landscape. The specific site where the specimen was collected is a hill stream that forms part of the buffer zone of the Bukit Raya–Bukit Baka National Park. This location is marked by coordinates 00°44.91’S and 112°15.85’E and is located in the heart of the fish’s natural habitat.
Natural habitat
The term “natural habitat” refers to the environment in which a particular organism or group of organisms naturally lives and thrives. A natural habitat can vary greatly, depending on the species and the geographic region. It is important to understand natural habitats in order to appreciate the diversity of life on Earth and to protect the planet’s biodiversity.
A natural habitat is made up of physical, chemical, and biological components that work together to create a specific environment. Physical components of a natural habitat include factors such as climate, geology, topography, and water availability. Chemical components can include factors such as soil composition, water quality, and air quality. Biological components refer to the living organisms that inhabit a particular habitat, including plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms.
The natural habitat of a particular species can be defined by a number of factors, including the species’ geographic range, the types of habitats it prefers, and the interactions it has with other organisms in its ecosystem. For example, some species may be restricted to a particular type of forest or wetland, while others may be found in a wide variety of habitats.
Natural habitats can also be divided into different categories, based on their physical characteristics. For example, aquatic habitats can be freshwater or saltwater, and can include rivers, lakes, ponds, and oceans. Terrestrial habitats can include forests, grasslands, deserts, and tundra. Each of these habitats has unique physical and biological characteristics that shape the organisms that live within them.
Human activities, such as habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change, can have a profound impact on natural habitats and the organisms that live within them. For example, deforestation can cause a loss of habitat for many species, leading to declines in populations and even extinction. Pollution can also have a negative impact on natural habitats, contaminating water, air, and soil and causing harm to the organisms that live within them.
Conservation efforts aimed at protecting natural habitats are crucial for the survival of many species and for maintaining the health of the planet’s ecosystems. These efforts can include habitat restoration, protected area designation, and sustainable management practices. By understanding and protecting natural habitats, we can help to preserve the planet’s biodiversity and ensure a healthy and sustainable future for all living organisms.
Habitat
The collection of the type series of this fish species was carried out in a small, clear-water stream that featured a series of riffles and deeper pools. The stream had a maximum width of 5 meters and a depth range spanning from 10 centimeters to 1 meter. The pH of the water in this stream was recorded as 6.0. The substrate of the streambed was composed of sand, gravel, rocks, and some leaf litter, and the water’s edge was marked by overhanging marginal vegetation.
During the collection of the type series, the stream was found to be inhabited by several other fish species, which were observed living in the same habitat as the newly identified species. These included members of the genera Barbonymus, Barbodes, Crossocheilus, Garra, Hampala, Mystacoleucus, Rasbora, Gastromyzon, Pangio, Leiocassis, Hemibagrus, Glyptothorax, Channa, and Mastacembelus.
Maximum Standard Length
At least 48 mm.
Notes
Currently, this fish species is not known to be kept in the aquarium hobby. The trade for similar-looking fish, commonly referred to as ‘tiger barbs’, often relies on commercially produced species with questionable origins. This newly identified species can be distinguished from other members of its genus by its unique combination of features, which include four broad, black bars up to five scales wide, a deep body, a complete lateral line with 20-21 pored scales in the lateral series, and the absence of rostral barbels.
The genus Puntigrus was established by Kottelat (2013) to accommodate a group of fish species formerly referred to as the ‘Puntius tetrazona group’, which includes P. tetrazona, P. navjotsodhii, P. pulcher, and P. partipentazona. While P. tetrazona, P. navjotsodhii, and P. pulcher are native to western, central, and eastern Borneo, respectively, P. partipentazona is found in Indochina. These fish share a unique color pattern that consists of four black bars on a pale body, with black pigmentation on at least the basal half of the dorsal fin.
Other features that aid in identifying this group of fish include a rhomboid-shaped, deep body, a complete or incomplete lateral line, a serrated posterior edge on the last simple dorsal-fin ray, and the absence of rostral barbels. The genus Puntius was previously considered a polyphyletic group that included over 100 species, but this has been largely resolved in recent years. Overall, the identification of this new species and the clarification of its taxonomy will contribute to a better understanding of the diversity and evolution of freshwater fish in this region.
Tan, H. H., 2012 – Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, Supplement 25: 285-289 Systomus navjotsodhii, a new cyprinid fish from central Kalimantan, Borneo.
Kottelat, M., 2013 – Raffles Bulletin of Zoology Supplement 27: 1-663
The fishes of the inland waters of southeast Asia: a catalogue and core bibiography of the fishes known to occur in freshwaters, mangroves and estuaries.