Spottedsail Barb (Pethia phutunio)

Travel to the slow, plant-choked streams and swamps of Bangladesh and Northeastern India and you’ll encounter a small, spotted barb swimming these waters, Pethia phutunio. This rarely seen fish is a relative newcomer to the aquarium scene, but it’s looks and care should be familiar to anyone who has ever kept its close cousins, like the Rosy Barb (P. conchonius) or the Black Ruby Barb (P. nigrofasciata).

This species has earned the common name Spottedsail Barb, which alludes to the small, dark spots of the dorsal fin; however, this distinctive feature may only be obvious in mature and well-conditioned specimens. The unusual scientific name was given by the 19th century Scottish physician and naturalist Francis Hamilton in his Fishes of the Ganges. In the local Bengali language, phutuni translates as “boastful” or “vain”, and the fish was called phutuni pungthi, basically “the boastful fish”. But it’s not entirely clear how it earned this moniker.

Relative to some of the other species in Pethia (formerly classified in Barbus), this species is on the small side and lacking in some of the chromatic flourishes common to the more popular congeners mentioned previously. The rosy hues of the Rosy Barb are absent, as are the deep tones of the Black Ruby. What we have instead is a quietly attractive fish. Hamilton described it, using the flowery prose of his time, as being “diaphanous”, but it’s really more of a silvery color, with a couple prominent black markings.

With its small size and peaceful temperament, the Spottedsail Barb is a fantastic addition to small community and planted aquariums, particularly those emphasizing a subdued and natural look. Mature specimens reach barely an inch in length, with males being slimmer and with a touch of red infusing the pelvic and anal fins.

As with any barb, keeping a sizable group is strongly recommended. Breeding is certainly possible in captivity for this egg-scatterer, though it seems that few have documented their efforts with this species. In general, P. phutunio is a rarity in the home aquarium, despite being a common fish in South Asia. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and for those with the discerning eye to appreciate the subtle charms of this humble little barb, there is much to be had here.