Laubuka caeruleostigmata

Laubuka: from Layubuka, a vernacular Bengali name for L. laubuca, the type species of the genus.

caeruleostigmata: from the Latin caeruleus, meaning 'dark coloured, dark blue', and stigmatus, meaning 'marked', in allusion to the blue marking on the dorsal surface of the head.

Known from the Mekong River system in Laos, Thailand, and Cambodia, plus the Chao Phraya and Mae Klong watersheds in central and western Thailand.

Type locality is 'Menam Chao Phya River, below Nakhon Sawan, central Thailand', corresponding to the Chao Phraya River in Nakhon Sawan province.

Tends to form schools near the surface in main river channels and larger tributaries, but has apparently become scarce in recent years.

An aquarium with base dimensions of 120 ∗ 30 cm48 ∗ 12 in or equivalent should be the smallest considered.

This species will do well in most well-maintained larger aquaria but is best maintained in a set-up designed to resemble a flowing river or stream, with a substrate of variably-sized rocks, gravel and some large water-worn boulders.

This can be further furnished with driftwood branches, and while the majority of plant species will fail to thrive in such surroundings hardy types such as Microsorum, Bolbitis or Anubias spp. can be grown attached to the décor. In this kind of environment it will display more natural behaviour and can be kept alongside other species that enjoy similar conditions.

Like many fishes that naturally inhabit running waters it’s intolerant to the accumulation of organic wastes and requires spotless water at all times in order to thrive. The aquarium must also have a tightly-fitting cover since this species is an accomplished jumper.

Feeds on terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates and their larvae in nature. In the aquarium it will accept dried foods of a suitable size but should also be offered live and frozen Daphnia, Artemia, chironomid larvae (bloodworm), etc., on a regular basis.

Not an aggressive fish and can be kept with many cyprinids, loaches, cichlids, catfish and characins, although as always when selecting a compatible community of fish proper research is essential.

It is a schooling species by nature and ideally should be kept in a group of at least 8-10 specimens which will not only make the fish less nervous but result in a more effective, natural looking display.

Adult females are noticeably deeper-bodied and usually grow slightly larger than males.

This species is also known as 'leaping barb' and was once quite common in the ornamental trade but is now seldom seen.

It can be distinguished from other members of the genus by the following characters: bright blue spot on top of head; series of 4-5 short faint bars on anterior portion of body; 19-23½ branched anal-fin rays; body depth fits 2.1-2.9 times in SL.

The generic name tended to be spelled 'Laubuca' for a number of years, but it is now established that Bleeker used 'Laubuka' first, therefore this spelling has priority.