The greenstripe barb is the only member of the genus Bhava, a word on Pali or Sanskrit means "existence or being", an allusion the authors did not explain. The specific name, vittata, means "banded", an allusion to the stripe on the rear part of the dorsal fin in individuals over 2 cm (0.79 in) in length.[5]
Description
The greenstripe barb has black dots on the dorsal, caudal and anal fins< The dot on the dorsal fin is elongated into a band. They young are more stripey. The overall colour is silver with a yellowish-green iridesensce and a darke edge to the scales.[6] This species has a maximum published total length of 5 cm (2.0 in), although 3.5 cm (1.4 in) is more common.[7]
Distribution and habitat
The greenstripe barb is found in South Asia where it occurs from eastern Pakistan, most of India south of the Punjab east to Bihar and throughout Peninsular India, as well as in Sri Lanka. It can be found in a variety of habitats including isolated ponds, rivers, submerged vegetation, primary streams, coastal and slow flowing streams, pools, lakes, mangroves, marshes and paddy fields.[1]
Biology
The greenstripe barb moves slowly over the substrate, picking at algaa, zooplankton and detritus. They prefer open waters with mud substrate, sometimes being recorded from river mouths near the sea.[1] They are oviparous and the females scatter eggs among the submerged vegetation.[6]
Utilisation
The greenstripe barb is collected for the aquarium trade and also to be used as bait.[1]
