Rhodeus ocellatus

(Kner, 1866)

Vernacular names
English : Rosy bitterling
French : Bouvière asiatique

Classification
Class : Teleostei
Order : Cypriniformes
Family : Acheilognathidae (sometimes still Cyprinidae)
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can reach about 9 cm in length. Males are bigger and brighter than females with high hump on back. Small but long head with red eyes. Silvery-grey body with pink-red tinge, blue horizontal line on mid flanks, red spot on tail peduncle.

Range and habitat
The species is native to eastern Asia and occurs sporadically in south and east China, Korea, Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Lives in still and slow-flowing water with abundant vegetation and sand-stilt bottom.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : DATA DEFICIENT
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species’ range is still poorly understood. It could be endemic to Taiwan and has been widely introduced (successfully) in other parts of Asia.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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