Sri Lanka
Checklist of Endemic Freshwater Fish Species
This list of freshwater fish species found exclusively in Sri Lanka is based on the taxonomy used in Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes (2023). For further details on possible inaccuracies in the list see Sources & Caveats.
Fricke, R., Eschmeyer, W. N. & Van der Laan, R. (eds) 2023 Catalog of Fishes: Genera, Species, References. Version downloaded 9 February 2023 https://researcharchive.calacademy.org/research/ichthyology/catalog/fishcatmain.asp
The current version can be accessed here
An alternative 2020 list of 62 endemic species can be found at (Table 6 at ResearchGate)
Channa ara (Anabantiformes Channidae)
Sri Lankan Giant Snakehead
Channa orientalis
(Anabantiformes Channidae) Ceylon
Snakehead
Belontia signata
(Anabantiformes Osphronemidae) Sri Lanka Combtail
Malpulutta kretseri
(Anabantiformes Osphronemidae) Ornate Paradish
Fish
Lates lakdiva (Carangiformes Latidae)
Sri Lankan Sea Bass
Lepidocephalichthys
jonklaasi (Cypriniformes Cobitidae) Jonklaas'
Loach
Dawkinsia srilankensis
(Cypriniformes Cyprinidae) Blotched Filamented
Barb
Garra ceylonensis
(Cypriniformes Cyprinidae) Sri Lanka Stone
Sucker
Garra phillipsi
(Cypriniformes Cyprinidae) Phillips' Garra
Labeo fisheri (Cypriniformes Cyprinidae)
Mountain Labeo
Labeo heladiva
(Cypriniformes Cyprinidae) Sri Lanka Labeo
Labeo lankae (Cypriniformes Cyprinidae)
Redfin Labeo
Pethia bandula
(Cypriniformes Cyprinidae) Bandula Barb
Pethia cumingii
(Cypriniformes Cyprinidae) Cuming's Barb
Pethia melanomaculata
(Cypriniformes Cyprinidae) Tic Tac Barb
Pethia nigrofasciata
(Cypriniformes Cyprinidae) Black Ruby Barb
Pethia reval (Cypriniformes Cyprinidae)
Sri Lanka Redfinned Barb
Puntius kamalika
(Cypriniformes Cyprinidae) Kamalica's Barb
Puntius kelumi
(Cypriniformes Cyprinidae) Sri Lanka Redeye Barb
Puntius layardi
(Cypriniformes Cyprinidae) Layard's Barb
Puntius thermalis
(Cypriniformes Cyprinidae) Swamp Barb
Puntius titteya
(Cypriniformes Cyprinidae) Cherry Barb
Systomus asoka
(Cypriniformes Cyprinidae) Asoka Barb
Systomus martenstyni
(Cypriniformes Cyprinidae) Martenstyn's Barb
Systomus pleurotaenia
(Cypriniformes Cyprinidae) Black-lined Barb
Amblypharyngodon
grandisquamis (Cypriniformes Danionidae) Sri
Lanka Silver Carplet
Devario memorialis
(Cypriniformes Danionidae) Aranayake Danio
Devario micronema
(Cypriniformes Danionidae) Kitulgala Danio
Devario monticola
(Cypriniformes Danionidae) Agra Danio
Devario pathirana
(Cypriniformes Danionidae) Barred Danio
Horadandia atukorali
(Cypriniformes Danionidae) Green Carplet
Laubuka hema (Cypriniformes Danionidae)
Gal Oya Blue Laubuka
Laubuka lankensis
(Cypriniformes Danionidae) Sri Lanka Blue
Laubuka
Laubuka varuna
(Cypriniformes Danionidae) Varuna Laubuka
Rasbora adisi (Cypriniformes Danionidae)
Gal Oya Striped Rasbora
Rasbora armitagei
(Cypriniformes Danionidae) Armitagi Rasbora
Rasbora naggsi
(Cypriniformes Danionidae) Naggasi Rasbora
Rasbora wilpita
(Cypriniformes Danionidae) Wilpita Rasbora
Rasboroides pallidus
(Cypriniformes Danionidae) Pallaides Rasbora
Rasboroides vaterifloris
(Cypriniformes Danionidae) Vateria Flower Rasbora
Paracanthocobitis
urophthalma (Cypriniformes Nemacheilidae) Banded Mountain Zipper Loach
Schistura madhavai
(Cypriniformes Nemacheilidae) Rakwana Mountain
Loach
Schistura notostigma
(Cypriniformes Nemacheilidae) Spotback Loach
Schistura scripta
(Cypriniformes Nemacheilidae) Scriptic Mountain
Loach
Aplocheilus dayi
(Cyprinodontiformes Aplocheilidae) Day's Killifish
Aplocheilus werneri
(Cyprinodontiformes Aplocheilidae) Werner's Killifish
Sicyopus jonklaasi
(Gobiiformes Gobiidae) Lipstick Goby
Stenogobius macropterus
(Gobiiformes Gobiidae)
Stiphodon martenstyni
(Gobiiformes Gobiidae) Martenstyn's Goby
Mystus ankutta
(Siluriformes Bagridae) Sri Lanka Dwarf Catfish
Mystus nanus (Siluriformes Bagridae)
Striped Dwarf Catfish
Mystus zeylanicus
(Siluriformes Bagridae) Sri Lanka Yellow
Catfish
Clarias brachysoma
(Siluriformes Clariidae) Sri Lanka Walking
Catfish
Clarias nebulosus
(Siluriformes Clariidae)
Ompok argestes
(Siluriformes Siluridae) Wet Zone Butter
Catfish
Ompok ceylonensis
(Siluriformes Siluridae) Dry Zone Butter
Catfish
Macrognathus
pentophthalmos (Synbranchiformes
Mastacembelidae) Sri Lanka Five-eyed Spiny Eel
Ophichthys desilvai
(Synbranchiformes Synbranchidae) Lesser Swamp Eel