Puntius sophore (Hamilton, 1822)

[N]—Spotfin swamp barb

Taxonomy. Original description: Cyprinus sophore Hamilton, 1822: 310, 389, pl. 19, fig. 86 [town market, from Hail Hoar floodplain near Moulvi Bazaar, Bangladesh; neotype: ZRC 35064; neotype selected by Pethiyagoda et al. (2012: 73)].— Afghanistan synonyms: Barbus annandalei Fowler, 1924; Barbus carletoni Fowler, 1924; Systomus chrysopterus McClelland, 1839; Leuciscus duvaucelii Valenciennes, 1844; Puntius (Puntius) modestus Kner, 1867; Leuciscus sulphureus Valenciennes,, 1844.—Revisions: None.—Illustration: Bleher (2018: 728, fig.).

Status in Afghanistan. First record from Afghanistan by McClelland (1842) as Systomus sophoro and Systomus chrysopterus; confirmed by Coad (1981: 11; 2014: 194; 2015: 228).—Afghanistan materials: None.

Distribution and habitat. Distribution in Afghanistan: Kabul River.—General distribution: South Asia: Ganges and Brahmaputra River basins (Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, India and Myanmar;? China).—Habitat: This species inhabits plains and submontane regions. A very plentiful schooling fish, remaining noticeably smaller in the domestic aquarium and becoming mature at 7–8 cm. Freshwater, transitional water.

Economic importance. Has potential to be used as aquarium fish.

Conservation. Conservation status in Afghanistan: Unknown.—IUCN: LC (Dahanukar 2010d).—Threats: No known major widespread threats.—Low sensitivity to human activities.—Not considered as a keystone species.—Decline status: Unknown.—Low priority for conservation action.