Laubuka fasciata (SILAS, 1958)

Malabar Hatchet Chela

SynonymsTop ↑

Chela fasciata Silas, 1958; Laubuca fasciata (Silas, 1958)

Etymology

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

fasciata: from the Latin fasciatus, meaning ‘banded’, in reference to the dark lateral stripe extending from the eye to the caudal peduncle in this species.

Classification

Order: Cypriniformes Family: Cyprinidae

Distribution

This species is endemic to the state of Kerala in southwestern India, where it has been recorded from the Bharathapuzha, Chalakudy, Muvattupuzha, Periyar, Ponnani, Meenachil, Achenkovil, Chaliyar, and Manimala river systems.

Type locality is ‘Annamalai River at base of Annamalai Hills, Chittur Taluk, Malabar, Kerala State, India’.

Habitat

Inhabits middle to lower stretches of rivers and streams where it displays a preference for slow-moving, shallow marginal zones over substrates of rock and gravel.

Maximum Standard Length

40 – 50 mm.

Aquarium SizeTop ↑

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

Maintenance

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.

Water Conditions

Temperature: 20 – 26 °C

pH: 6.5 – 7.5

Hardness: 36 – 179 ppm

Diet

Naturally a surface feeder preying on terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates. 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.

Behaviour and CompatibilityTop ↑

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.

Sexual Dimorphism

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

Reproduction

Unreported.

NotesTop ↑

This species is occasionally available in the aquarium trade, but is apparently collected only in small numbers which can only be seen as a positive given its restricted natural range.

It can be distinguished from other members of the genus by the following characters: dark longitudinal stripe on body, extending from eye to caudal peduncle; scattered tubercles present on lower jaw; 14½-16½ branched anal-fin rays; pelvic-fin long, reaching beyond anus.

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.

Among other cyprinids Laubuka species are closely related to the genera Chela, Malayochela, and Devario according to recent phylogentic research, which also supports the splitting of the fomerly much larger Chela grouping into Chela, Malayochela, and Laubuka. There is also a suggestion that L. dadiburjori is not a direct relative of other Laubuka species and may warrant placement in its own genus.

References

1. Silas, E. G., 1958 - Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 55(1): 54-99
   Studies on cyprinid fishes of the oriental genus Chela Hamilton.
2. Fang, F., M. Norén, T.-Y. Liao, M. Källersjö and S. O. Kullander, 2009 - Zoologica Scripta 38(3): 237-256
   Molecular phylogenetic interrelationships of the south Asian cyprinid genera Danio, Devario and Microrasbora (Teleostei, Cyprinidae, Danioninae).
3. Jameela Beevi, K.S. and A. Ramachandran, 2009 - Journal of Threatened Taxa 1(9): 493-494
   Checklist of freshwater fishes collected from Ernakulam District, Kerala, India.
4. Kulabtong, S., S. Suksri and C. Nonpayom, 2012 - Biodiversity Journal 3(1): 93-95
   A new species of genus Laubuca Bleeker, 1860 cyprinid fish from Bangladesh (Cypriniformes, Cyprinidae).
5. Pethiyagoda, R., M. Kottelat, A. Silva, K. Maduwage and M. Meegaskumbura, 2008 - Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters 19(1): 7-26
   A review of the genus Laubuca in Sri Lanka, with description of three new species (Teleostei: Cyprinidae).