Sri Lanka Kamalika's Barb.

About

Sri Lanka Kamalika's Barb (Puntius kamalika) is a small cyprinid native exclusively to Sri Lanka, where it ranges widely across the wet-zone lowlands, the high-rainfall southwestern quarter of the island, inhabiting streams, rivers, and marshes draining through catchments such as the Kelani River basin. It stays on the smaller side for a barb, topping out around three inches in most aquarium settings. The species carries a fairly plain look compared to many of its relatives: the body lacks bold markings, blotches, or fin ornamentation, which actually makes identification straightforward once you know what you're looking for. For years it was lumped under the name P. amphibius, a separate species from western India, before being formally described as its own species based on differences in head proportions, eye size, vertebral count, and overall size. Taxonomically the genus Puntius itself has been through considerable reshuffling over the past decade or so, with many species moved into newly erected genera, though P. kamalika remains placed in Puntius for now. In the aquarium it is a manageable species suited to community setups, and the beginner-friendly care level means you don't need years of experience to keep it comfortable and healthy.