Dawkinsia assimilis (Jerdon 1849)

Adults measuring >4.33 cm SL differ from all other South Asian Puntius by a combination of the following characters: a black band about as wide as eye across each caudal-fin lobe (faint or absent in adults of the Kallada River population); lower lip continuous, a caudal blotch on 2-5 scales, commencing posterior to anal-fin origin; no distinct markings on body in advance of anal-fin origin. Adult males from the Chalakudy and Kallada River populations with branched dorsal rays prolonged into filament-like extensions. Adults of P. assimilis may be distinguished from P. filamentosus by possessing mouth inferior (vs. subterminal) and maxillary barbels 23.5-33.3% HL (vs. 2.8-8.1%) (Ref. 55036).Description: Pectoral fin with one simple and 14 branched rays. Lateral line with 19 or 20 scales, 2 pored scales on base of caudal fin (Ref. 55036).

Occurs in a variety of habitats such slow-flowing areas close to the banks with muddy substrate, clear-water, rock substrate areas and relatively fast-flowing waters (Ref. 55036).

Dawkinsia assimilis is a species of ray-finned fish in the genus Dawkinsia. It is endemic to the southern Western Ghats especially to the Southwest Indian states of Karnataka and Kerala. They are known as Mascara Barb. Filament barbs are a group of small freshwater fishes found in the rivers of peninsular India and Sri Lanka. There are nine species known under the genus Dawkinsia. These barbs are popular among aquarium hobbyists as an ornamental fish and are also collected from rivers and bred for trade.