discover fish

Rediscover of Labeo lankae

Fish species rediscovered	Labeo lankae
Common English name	Red/Orange fin Labeo
Vernacular name	Thambhalavenna

Classification
Phylum	Chordata	Labeo lankae (24.5 cm total length)
Sub Phylum	Vertebrata	Natural habitat of Labeo lankae
Class	Actinopterigii
Super order	Ostariophysi
Order	Cypriniformes
Family	Cyprinidae
Genus	Labeo
Species	lankae

Present occurrence	Knuckle mountain range
Date of rediscovered	16th December 2008
Rediscovered	Ramani Shriantha
Last record	Dr. Ranil Senanayake in 1980
Conservation status (IUCN)	Critically endangered

Consequent of a series of recent observations carried out by a NARA research team coordinated by Ms. Ramani Shirantha was able to capture, measure, photograph and video Labeo lankae (Orange/Red fin labeo, Thambhala venna/Thambhalaya) a fish species that was considered to have gone extinct in Sri Lanka.

This fish species which was earlier considered as a sub species of Labeo procellus named as Labeo procellus lankae, was subsequently elevated to an endemic species. However, no one was able to find any specimen since 1980 until this discovery was made leading to speculation that this endemic fish species has gone extinct.

This is the very first record of living specimen of Labeo lankae to confirm its existence after it was made into an endemic species.

Its biology and ecology is very little known. The reasons for its population decline are not well understood. However, habitat destructions, use of agrochemicals, damming and introduction of alien fish species might be reasons for its sudden population decline.

Labeo lankae is a grazer belongs to the Family Cyprinide (family of carps and Rasboras). It prefers highly oxygenated flowing shady waters of large pools and riffles and with no or little disturbances. Since it is very difficulty to give required conditions to rear in captivity for ex situ conservation, the in situ conservation is very significant.

R. R. A. Ramani Shirantha,
Research Officer,
Inland Aquatic Resources and Aquaculture Division,NARA