Puntius titteya

Native to the shaded, slow-moving streams and rivers of Sri Lanka's wet zone, this species has adapted to an environment rich in vegetation and leaf litter. Replicating this natural habitat is key to its long-term health in an aquarium. It prefers tanks with low water flow, mimicking the gentle currents of its home waters. A densely planted environment with plenty of driftwood and botanicals not only provides security but also contributes to the slightly acidic and soft water conditions it favors. While adaptable to a wider range of water parameters, stability is crucial.

This is a shoaling fish that exhibits complex social behaviors. Keeping it in a suitably sized group is essential for its well-being. In isolation, it can become shy and stressed, but within a group, individuals become more confident and active. They are fast, yet graceful swimmers, primarily occupying the middle and bottom strata of the aquarium, where they will forage and interact. Despite their activity, they are very peaceful and can be housed with other similarly sized and tempered species. Avoid housing them with large, boisterous, or aggressive tank mates.

As an omnivore, its natural diet consists of detritus, algae, and small invertebrates. In captivity, a varied diet is crucial. High-quality flake or pellet food should form the staple, supplemented regularly with frozen or live foods to ensure a complete nutritional profile. They are also known to graze on biofilm that develops on tank surfaces, contributing to the aquarium's micro-ecosystem. Their metabolism and waste production are relatively low, placing a minimal bioload on the filtration system for a fish of its size. However, consistent water changes and maintenance remain vital for an environment free of harmful nitrates. With proper care, including stable water conditions, a varied diet, and an appropriate social environment, this fish can be a rewarding inhabitant for many years.

A member of the extensive Cyprinidae family, this species, Puntius titteya, is a small freshwater fish endemic to Sri Lanka. Its morphology is characterized by a fusiform, or torpedo-shaped, body that is laterally compressed—a common trait among riverine cyprinids that allows for efficient maneuverability through aquatic vegetation. Ecologically, it occupies slow-flowing, shallow, and heavily shaded forest streams. These habitats are typically characterized by a substrate of sand and leaf litter, which contributes to a lower pH and water hardness.

Its diet in the wild is omnivorous, consisting of a mix of diatoms, green algae, detritus, and small aquatic invertebrates gleaned from the substrate and biofilm. This role as a grazer and micro-predator is significant within its native ecosystem. Physiologically, the species displays a low metabolic rate and corresponding low oxygen consumption, which is an adaptation to its calm, sometimes oxygen-poor, habitats. This resilience also extends to its tolerance for a moderate range of total dissolved solids and water hardness, contributing to its success as an aquarium species.

From a conservation standpoint, P. titteya is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Its wild populations have faced significant threats from habitat loss and degradation due to deforestation, agricultural runoff, and the channeling of streams. Its popularity in the aquarium trade has led to the establishment of robust, captive-bred populations worldwide. This commercial breeding has substantially reduced the collection pressure on wild stocks, serving as an important ex-situ conservation measure. The social structure is defined as shoaling, a behavior that provides benefits for both foraging efficiency and predator avoidance in its natural environment.

Breeding this species is considered a moderately difficult but achievable endeavor for the dedicated hobbyist. Success begins with selecting healthy, mature individuals and conditioning them for spawning. A recommended ratio for a breeding group is one male to two or three females to prevent any single female from bearing the brunt of the male's attention. Differentiating between sexes is straightforward: males are typically more slender and streamlined, while females are noticeably plumper and more rounded, especially when gravid (full of eggs).

To encourage spawning, the breeding group should be 'conditioned' by feeding them a diet rich in protein, such as live and frozen foods, for a couple of weeks. A separate breeding aquarium is highly recommended. This tank should have very gentle filtration, such as an air-driven sponge filter, to avoid harming eggs or fry. The water should be soft and slightly acidic, within the lower end of the species' preferred range, and the temperature should be maintained at the higher end of its tolerance. The tank floor can be left bare or covered with a substrate of marbles, and fine-leaved plants like mosses or spawning mops should be provided. These elements give the fish a place to scatter their eggs and offer some protection from the parents.

This species is an egg-scatterer, meaning the female will release her adhesive eggs amongst the plants or mop while the male simultaneously fertilizes them. The spawning event is often a vigorous and active display. Once spawning is complete, it is crucial to remove the adult fish promptly, as they will not hesitate to consume their own eggs. The eggs will typically hatch within 24 to 48 hours. The newly hatched fry will first survive by consuming their yolk sac. Once they become free-swimming, they must be fed microscopic foods like infusoria, rotifers, or liquid fry food. As they grow over the next few days, their diet can be transitioned to newly hatched brine shrimp and finely crushed flake food. Maintaining pristine water quality with frequent, small water changes is critical during this delicate stage of development.