Pethia ornata
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Pethia ornata faces severe pressure from habitat degradation in its native river systems of peninsular India. Dam construction and water extraction for agriculture have altered natural flow regimes, while pollution from industrial and domestic sources degrades water quality. The species' restricted range makes it particularly vulnerable to localized environmental changes, with several historical populations now considered extirpated.
Habitat
This freshwater cyprinid inhabits clear, fast-flowing streams and rivers in the Western Ghats of peninsular India, typically found in rocky substrates with moderate to strong currents. The species prefers well-oxygenated waters with temperatures ranging from 22-28°C and is often associated with forested catchments.
