Devario

Lot 7: Identification tips for Devario devario

Sort out small-sized laterally compressed fishes with peacock blue hue below lateral line, yellowish vertical bands and a stripe of dark pigmentation along mid lateral side, terminating at the base of caudal peduncle or beyond:

………. place them labeled as Devario sp.

The fish kept labeled as Devario under ‘Lot 7’ in the field, has usually been found frequenting along with the shoals of Danio rerio (Lot 6) [and also with the shoals of fishes characterized under Lot 8] in shallow, quiet, clear waters where there is thick growth of marginal emergent or submerged aquatic vegetation, prevalent at downstream sections of Song and Suswa of Eastern Doon and Asan, Tons and Yamuna of Western Doon.

The chief characterization of this sample is as follows:

Barbels: 1 pair, rudimentary maxillary.

Body deeper and laterally compressed with dorsal fin set far back almost opposite the anal.

Diagnostic colouration: Body silvery with sea greenish-yellow sheen; the lower half of body more bluish-green (peacock blue) with bright yellow vertical bands [originating from behind the gill opening] turning into spots [as approaching towards lower caudal base]; the area posterior to the upper edge of opercles darkly pigmented [appearing as a faint blotch]; a narrow bluish (peacock blue) iridescent band commencing about the middle of the posterior half of body , almost opposite middle of the dorsal fin or just opposite to the origin of anal fin, becoming wider at the caudal peduncular end and then continuing along middle of caudal fin, thence narrowing along the 4 fin rays of the upper caudal lobe; the bluish band is flanked dorsally by a parallelly running yellow band and similarly by a fainter one along the lower border [as if the yellow spots on the flanks coalescing towards the posterior extremity; pectoral, pelvic, anal and caudal fins yellow; both pelvic and anal edged red; the dorsal fin light grayish and edged black; the caudal also edged black.

The vertical row of scales at the end of caudal peduncle is directed obliquely upwards.

Unhesitatingly identify this Lot as: ………………..Devario devario

Devario devario (Lateral view): Body deeper and laterally compressed, with diagnostic colouration [specimen 1 and 2 collected from different locations with lighter and darker shades, respectively], silvery with sea greenish-yellow sheen. Dorsal fin set far back almost opposite the anal. The lower half of body more bluish-green (peacock blue) with bright yellow vertical bands [from behind the gill opening] turning into spots [as approaching towards lower caudal base]. A narrow bluish iridescent band commences about the middle in posterior half of body.

MORE PHOTOGRAPHS OF Devario devario

Devario devario (Posterior half enlarged): Showing a narrow bluish (peacock blue) iridescent band commencing about the middle of posterior half of body, becoming wider at the caudal peduncular end and then continuing along middle of caudal fin, thence narrowing along the 4 lower fin rays of the upper caudal lobe. The bluish band is flanked dorsally by a parallelly running yellow band and similarly by a fainter one along the lower border [as if the yellow spots on the flanks coalescing to form a band towards the posterior extremity].
Devario devario (Posterior half enlarged): Showing a narrow bluish (peacock blue) iridescent band commencing about the middle of posterior half of body, becoming wider at the caudal peduncular end and then continuing along middle of caudal fin, thence narrowing along the 4 lower fin rays of the upper caudal lobe. The bluish band is flanked dorsally by a parallelly running yellow band and similarly by a fainter one along the lower border [as if the yellow spots on the flanks coalescing to form a band towards the posterior extremity].
Devario devario (Snout region enlarged): Mark the presence of a minute maxillary barbel (max. b.).
Devario devario (Snout region enlarged): Mark the presence of a minute maxillary barbel (max. b.).
Devario devario (Caudal end enlarged): Showing the vertical row of scales (Sc) at the end of caudal peduncle, directed obliquely upwards and narrowing of lateral bluish band along 4 lower fin rays of the upper caudal lobe.
Devario devario (Caudal end enlarged): Showing the vertical row of scales (Sc) at the end of caudal peduncle, directed obliquely upwards and narrowing of lateral bluish band along 4 lower fin rays of the upper caudal lobe.

FAVOURITE DWELLING SITES OF Devario devario

 [see also Lot 6]

River Yamuna (Western Doon): At Dakpatthar, the calm and quiet marginal zone (with emergent aquatic grass) harbouring smaller species like Danio, Devario, Puntius, Esomus, Rasbora etc
River Yamuna (Western Doon): At Dakpatthar, the calm and quiet marginal zone (with emergent aquatic grass) harbouring smaller species like Danio, Devario, Puntius, Esomus, Rasbora etc
River Suswa (Eastern Doon): A swampy stretch at Raiwala with submerged (Vallisneria, Potamogeton) and marginal (Veronica) aquatic vegetation, providing ample of shoaling ground for the schools of Danio, Devario, Puntius, Rasbora, Esomus and hiding ground for bottom dwellers like Channa, Lepidocephalichthys, Acanthocobitis, Schistura sp. etc.
River Suswa (Eastern Doon): A swampy stretch at Raiwala with submerged (Vallisneria, Potamogeton) and marginal (Veronica) aquatic vegetation, providing ample of shoaling ground for the schools of Danio, Devario, Puntius, Rasbora, Esomus and hiding ground for bottom dwellers like Channa, Lepidocephalichthys, Acanthocobitis, Schistura sp. etc.
River Asan (Western Doon): A Clear watered shallow channel at Sehaspur Village with growth of floating aquatic plant, Ludwigia (= Jussiaea)and muddy floor, providing shelter to small sized species belonging to Genera like Devario, Danio, Puntius, Esomus, Rasbora and Cobotids in column and bottom waters.
River Asan (Western Doon): A Clear watered shallow channel at Sehaspur Village with growth of floating aquatic plant, Ludwigia (= Jussiaea)and muddy floor, providing shelter to small sized species belonging to Genera like Devario, Danio, Puntius, Esomus, Rasbora and Cobotids in column and bottom waters.
River Asan (Western Doon): A Clear watered shallow channel at Sehaspur Village with growth of submerged Vallisneria and floating Lemna and Spirodella, providing shelter to small sized species belonging to Genera like Devario, Danio, Puntius, Esomus, Rasbora and Cobotids in column and bottom waters.
River Asan (Western Doon): A Clear watered shallow channel at Sehaspur Village with growth of submerged Vallisneria and floating Lemna and Spirodella, providing shelter to small sized species belonging to Genera like Devario, Danio, Puntius, Esomus, Rasbora and Cobotids in column and bottom waters.
River Tons (Western Doon): A clear watered shallow channel at Robbers cave with algal mats, and weedy (Rorippa, Rumex sp.) growth, the favourite delling ground for Danio, Devario, Puntius, Esomus, Rasbora sp.
River Tons (Western Doon): A clear watered shallow channel at Robbers cave with algal mats, and weedy (Rorippa, Rumex sp.) growth, the favourite delling ground for Danio, Devario, Puntius, Esomus, Rasbora sp.
  • Systematic position:
    Family: Cyprinidae

Subfamily: Rasborinae (= Danioninae)