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Malabar baril (Barilius gatensis) — Cyprinidae

Malabar baril

Barilius gatensis
Family: Cyprinidae

The Malabar baril (Barilius gatensis) is a fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 14 cm.

Length
14 cm
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Malabar baril is a cyprinid (Danionidae) from fast-flowing fresh water of the Western Ghats in southern India. The species grows to about 14 cm and has a slender, streamlined, silvery body with a row of blue cross-blotches or bars on the flank. As a fast, schooling surface fish it swims in clear mountain streams and snaps at insects falling on the water, and at larvae and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Malabar baril?

The Malabar baril is mainly silver-grey and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Malabar baril live?

The Malabar baril is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Malabar baril get?

The Malabar baril grows to a maximum of about 14 cm.

Is the Malabar baril dangerous to humans?

No, the Malabar baril is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Malabar-baril sourced
English name
Malabar baril sourced
Scientific name
Barilius gatensis
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Max length (cm)
14 sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Substrate
Open water sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Barilius

More from the family Cyprinidae

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