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Mention of Asian coldwater fishes usually involves the domesticated goldfish and koi strains, although a number of other fishes exist in that region, that are of interest to aquarists. Many of them are also cyprinids, or carp by a loose definition. One such species is the clicker barb, also known as the topmouth and sharp-mouth gudgeon, and sometimes as the stone moroko or 'morocco', Pseudorasbora parva. This is a small species compared to goldfish and koi, growing to 12 or 13 centimeters or 5 inches long. More commonly they are 8 centimeters or a little over 3 inches.

This species now has a wide distribution in temperate regions of the northern hemisphere, because of accidental and, perhaps, deliberate introductions by man. However its origination is in countries such as China and Korea, and generally from the Amur catchment to the Zhujiang basins in the far east of Eurasia. Since then it has been distributed as far as England, Spain, and North America, where it is predicted to colonise from Vancouver and Seattle, south to the middle Mississippi region

Though P. parva is sometimes thought of as a stream fish within its original, wild distribution, it is also present there in oligotrophic and eutrophic lake environments, and has tolerance of relatively stagnant waters. Indeed the clicker barb is found abundantly in vegetated channels, ponds and small lakes. They also breed better in still and slow flowing waters. In all this fish is best considered as a habitat generalist, although one with a strong affinity for life among the shelter of submerged vegetation.

What is a barb? The word 'barb' originated in the name of Barbus barbus, a species of carp that is never called a barb in English, but is known as the barbel. The etymology comes originally from the barbels or oral 'whiskers' of Barbus and many other carp. The name of barb has come to be applied to many Asian and other carp, that are not necessarily closely related among the cyprinid clade of fishes - in effect the word 'barb' is a synonym of 'carp' in the same sense that a 'myna' or 'mynah' is a starling. Ironically the clipper barb does not itself possess its namesake barbels.

Unlike most other fish known to the aquarium trade as 'barbs', P. parva is a temperate species, doubt well at a British living room temperature. Introduced populations in Spain may tolerate water as warm as 28 degrees centigrade in the summer months, but not around the year. In the warmer months of spring and summer, the temperature should not drop below 15 degrees. This species grows fastest between 21 and 23 degrees centigrade, but also well enough at 19 and 25 degrees.

P. parva are omnivorous fish that consume plant material such as algae, as well as insects and similar arthropods, and other animal material, such as fish eggs. They display dietary flexibility in the wild, having a broader diet in the cooler seasons, and similarly adapting their diet in line with their locality. Such omnivorous fishes are never difficult to feed on the aquarium, assuming they are in good shape, because they accept a good variety of proprietary foods.

In the wild, this species displays a fondness for vegetated habitats, and the aquarist should respect this. Although they dislike brackish environments, this species have good tolerances of pH and hardness, and likely do best in at a pH close to 8. P. parva may be housed alongside other placid and non-piscivorous temperate fishes in the aquarium. However, restrictions are now in place on its sale for fair ecological reasons. But members of the species may still be rehomed if they become available.

#Pseudorasbora parva #clicker barb #stone moroko #topmouth gudgeon #sharp-mouth gudgeon #coldwater fishes #temperate fishes

Stone Moroko (Pseudorasbora parva)

Also known as the Topmouth Gudgeon, the stone moroko is a species of cyprinid fish that is widely distributed throughout Asia, but has become an invasive species in Europe as well. Its introduction to Europe spells danger for local species like Leucaspius delineatus, Pseudorasbora parva carries a parasite (Sphaerothecum destruens) which is harmful to other fish.

Classification

Animalia-Chordata-Actinopterygii-Cypriniformes-Cyprinidae-Gobioninae-Pseudorasbora-P. parva

Image: Seotaro