It is endemic to freshwater and brackish streams, lagoons and estuaries in southern India and Sri Lanka. The species is characterised by its highly compressed body and large dark blotch exactly on the mid lateral region of body.
Size
Maximum length: 8.0 cm (TL), common length: 5-6 cm (TL)
Diet
Feeds on parasites, fish fry, zooplankton and algae.
Utilization
The species is popular with fishkeeping hobbyists, and is kept frequently in aquariums
