Stone Carp

Puntius sophore

The stone carp (Puntius sophore), also known as the pool barb or spotfin swamp barb, is a small freshwater cyprinid in the family Cyprinidae. Adults reach about 13 cm with a deep, laterally compressed body showing silvery to golden coloration with a dark blotch near the tail base and often an orange tinge on the fins. This species inhabits rivers, streams, ponds, floodplain pools, and rice paddies at depths of 0-3 meters throughout the Indian subcontinent, including India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Pakistan. Stone carp are found in both clear and turbid waters, forming loose schools in vegetated areas. They are omnivorous, feeding on algae, aquatic plants, insects, and detritus. This species has high economic value as a food fish and is also popular in the ornamental fish trade. Their resilient nature and ability to thrive in diverse habitats make them one of the most commonly encountered small fish in South Asian freshwater systems.