Puntioplites bulu

(Bleeker, 1851)

Vernacular names
English : Bulu barb
French : Barbus boulou

Classification
Class : Teleostei
Order : Cypriniformes
Family : Cyprinidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Large barb species growing to 44 cm in length for a weight of 1.1 kg. Large head with red eyes, back strongly arched, forming a hump. Dorsal fin elongated and with falcate tips. Coloration mostly grey with coppery tinge on head and slight greenish tinge on flanks. Dark markings on flank scales form broken vertical lines.

Range and habitat
The species is found in the lower Mekong river basin in Cambodia and Vietnam but was thought to be extirpated from there recently. It also occurs on Borneo, Sumatra and in Peninsular Malaysia. It lives in large rivers and lakes, primarily in midwater and at lower depths.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species has a large range and can be locally numerous. However, because of pollution, dam projects and other human-related factors, local declines have been noted and should be monitored, particularly in the Mekong river basin.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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