Denison's Barb - Habitat and Threats

Habitat and Threats

Denison's Barb or Red line torpedo barb is endemic to the Achenkovil and Chaliyar rivers. Specifically, they are found in four locations- Cheenkannipuzha (a major tributary of Velapattanam River), the Achankovil river, the Chaliyar river and near Mundakayam town. The species has an estimated range of 8,805 km2 (3,400 sq mi). P. denisonii is a benthopelagic species that is gregarious and shoals are known to occur in rocky pools with thick vegetation along their banks. They thrive in a subtropical climate in water with a 6.8–7.8 pH, a water hardness of 5–25 dGH and a temperature range of 65 to 79 °F (18 to 26 °C).

As reported by Practical Fishkeeping in January 2009, new research by team of scientists from India suggests that the species is being over-exploited for the aquarium trade, potentially placing it at risk of extinction. In spite of being listed as Endangered by local assessment reports the fish had been promoted as an 'Export item' by several government agencies!

The fish was most likely collected and exported out of India in 1996. In 1997, it won the third prize at 'Aquarama 1997' (world exhibition on Ornamental fish) under the 'New Species Category'. By 2007-08 it constituted about 60- 65% of the total live ornamental fish exported from India which was worth US$ 1.54 million. Though the Government of Kerala banned the fishing and export of the endangered barb, it is yet to be listed under the National Wlidlife Protection Act.

Giving a shot in the arm of the conservationist is the news that the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has in 2010 put the fish on their Red list regarded as the most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of plant and animal species since 1963. The species has been assigned Vulnerable (VU) status because of several reasons including restricted extent of occurrence (less than 20,000 km2), decline in habitat quality and number of mature individuals.