Puntius

Puntius is a genus of small freshwater fish, family Cyprinidae, comprising approximately 40 currently recognized species after reclassifications moved many formerly included species to other genera, native to South Asia, from Pakistan to Sri Lanka, and mainland Southeast Asia, with one species, Puntius snyderi, found in Taiwan; species richness is greatest in India. Members typically measure 7 to 15 centimeters, with a maximum around 25 centimeters, resemble miniature carp and are often brightly colored or patterned, feeding omnivorously on small invertebrates and plant matter and reproducing by scattering eggs near dense vegetation without parental care. The genus name derives from the Bengali puti. The type species is the pool barb, Puntius sophore; other members include the chola barb, Puntius chola, and the onespot barb, Puntius terio.