1916.] B. SuNDARA Ray: Freshwater Fish of Madras. 255 
the rostral pair of barbels are one-half longer than the orbit and 
the dark lateral blotch anterior to the base of the caudal fin may 
be present or absent. 
The above particulars show that Madras examples combine 
the characters of the three species, B. savana, H. B., B. chrysopoma, 
C. and V., B. pinnauratus, Day, all of which according to the 
Fauna of British India may occur in Madras. Day himself 
doubted the validity of his species B. pinnauratus, which he 
thought may be a variety of B. chrysopoma, while B. sarana is 
closely related to these.!. The series examined, however, is entirely 
too limited to decide whether these three species are really distinct. 
This fish is common in ponds in and around Madras and does 
not appear to occur in rivers. The breeding season seems to be 
about December, as the young are very common in January and 
February. Inthe young the eyes are comparatively large.” When 
they are an inch long, there are 4 undivided anterior rays in the 
dorsal fin. All the fins and the opercles are suffused with orange, 
the body is bright silvery and the dark lateral spot at the root of 
the caudal fin is very distinct. 
Uses.—Much valued as food. 

Barbus amphibius (C. and V.) 
Tamil— Numbriki Kendat. 
Both in the Fishes of India and in the Fauna of India Day 
gives the number of undivided anterior rays in the anal fin as 2, 
while in his Fishes of Malabar he mentions 3 such rays; in Madras 
specimens the latter number usually occurs. 
Habitat and Habits —Though not uncommon it does not 
appear to be very numerous except in some tanks. In the river 
Cooum it occurs within tidal influence. It is a shallow-water 
species subsisting on a mixed diet composed of aquatic weeds, 
worms, flies, etc. B. amphibius breeds during October, November 
and December and also according to Thomas during June and 
July.’ 
Description of young. 
“When young the summit of the head is golden green, and a yellow streak 
runs from opposite the centre of the eye to the centre of the tail. When about 
two inches in length the black spot on the side of the tail commences to appear, 
and by degrees the golden streak along the side disappears.’’ + 
Uses.—lIt is a small fish not much in demand as food. 
Barbus dorsalis (Jerdon). 
Tamil—Miukandng Kendai. ‘‘ Saal Candee’’ (Day) is the name 
given to Labeo calbasu in Madras. 
Habitat and Habits —B. dorsalis occurs in ponds and rivers, 
but nowhere abundantly. It is rare in tanks within city limits. 


| Day, Fishes of India, p. 502. ® Report Pisciculture S. Canara, p. 72. 
© Tbtd., ps 501; * Day, Fishes of Malabar, p. 214. 
