Esomus danrica (Hamilton, 1822)

[N]—Flying barb

Taxonomy. Original description: Cyprinus danrica Hamilton, 1822: 325, 390, pl. 16, fig. 88 (Bengal; no types preserved).— Afghanistan synonyms: Nuria danrica grahami Chaudhuri, 1912; Esomus danricus (Hamilton, 1822); Esomus danricus jabalpurensis Rao & Sharma, 1972; Cyprinus jogia Hamilton, 1822; Esomus lineatus Ahl, 1924; Perilampus macropterus McClelland, 1839; Perilampus macrourus McClelland, 1839; Esomus manipurensis Tilak & Jain, 1990; Perilampus recurvirostris McClelland, 1839; Pogonocharax rehi Regan, 1907; Cyprinus sutiha Hamilton, 1822; Perilampus thermophilus McClelland, 1839; Leuciscus (Esomus) vittatus Swainson, 1839 .—Revisions: None.—Illustration: Hamilton (1822: pl. 16, fig. 88) as Cyprinus danrica; Britz (2019: pl. 194).

Status in Afghanistan. First record from Afghanistan by McClelland (1842) Perilimpus sutiha; confirmed by Coad (1981: 10; 2014: 160; 2015: 227).—Afghanistan materials: None.

Distribution and habitat. Distribution in Afghanistan: Kabul River at Koti-i-Ashruf [Kowt-e-’Ashow, 34°27’N, 68°48’E], Mijdan Valley and Sir-i-Chusmah, Afghanistan.—General distribution: South Asia: Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Myanmar.—Habitat: The species is a benthopelagic one, usually found in ponds, tanks, ditches, and canals. They are active fish that swim and feed on insects close to the surface, and they prefer well-aerated water. Freshwater, brackish

Economic importance. Locally consumed, but of no commercial importance. Has potential to be used as aquarium fish.

Conservation. Conservation status in Afghanistan: Unknown.—IUCN: LC (Devi & Bogutskaya 2009e).—Threats: HAB, EUT,ABS, CON.—Low sensitivity to human activities.—Not considered as a keystone species.—Decline status: Stable.—Low priority for conservation action.