Swamp Barb

The last simple dorsal ray without serration along its posterior margin; 1 pair of maxillary barbels; a black blotch on caudal peduncle (Ref. 27732); lateral line complete; no discrete dark spot at base of anterior dorsal-fin rays (Ref. 12693).

Usually found in slow moving or standing water (Ref. 27732). Occurs in floodplains, canals, ditches and small sluggish streams. Proliferates in impoundments, and lives in areas with abundant aquatic vegetation. Feeds on crustaceans, tubificid worms, algae and zooplankton. Moves into newly inundated land during flood season and spawns there (Ref. 12693, 57235).

Puntius brevis, sometimes known as the swamp barb (although Puntius chola is also known by that name), is a species of ray-finned fish in the genus Puntius. It is found in the Mekong and Chao Phraya basins. Puntius spilopterus is sometimes considered conspecific.

This fish is one of the identified hosts of Opisthorchis viverrini, the Southeast Asian liver fluke.