Biology

Yellow finned variety usually occurs in flowing water and stays close to the substrate (sand to boulders). Red finned variety inhabits slow flowing waters of marshes in the Kelani Valley foothills, associated with mud or silt bottoms. Forms medium sized shoals. Matures at 3 cm and spawns during rainy season (Ref. 6468). Feeds on green algae, plankton and detritus (Ref. 6469). Population with strongly bifurcate caudal fin from introduced Mahaweli stock (Ref. 6470).