Shacra Baril

About

Found in the rivers and streams of India, Bangladesh, and Nepal, this active cyprinid, Barilius shacra, inhabits large waterways with varied substrates ranging from sand and mud through to gravel, cobbles, and boulders. It is a speedy, energetic fish that can reach around five and a half inches as an adult, and that pace and vigor define almost every aspect of keeping it. At feeding time it will easily outcompete slower or more timid tankmates, and smaller fish risk being viewed as food altogether, so choosing companions carefully is essential. The best matches are similarly sized, robust mid-water cyprinids from genera like Dawkinsia, Devario, and other Barilius, while bottom-dwellers such as Garra, Botia, and Schistura species can round out a setup nicely. Many characins and loricariid catfish work too, though thorough research before buying any mix is worthwhile. Though gregarious, this species forms a pecking order rather than a true school, so keeping five or more individuals is important. Smaller groups often result in persistent harassment of subordinate fish. Breeding has not been documented in captivity. Despite occasionally appearing in the trade, it remains poorly known among hobbyists, and its taxonomic placement within Barilius has been debated for decades without full resolution.