> I've also "heard" that the cherry barb, (Puntius titteya) although common
>in the U.S. pet trade, is considered extinct in it's native Sri Lanka.
Hey, the first Asian freshwater fish ever mentioned on this list!!(?)
Luckily, this tiny species is still widely distributed throughout it's
original range of distribution (southwestern Sri Lanka): In the recent book
"Freshwater Fishes of Sri Lanka" by Rohan Pethiyagoda (1991), there is a
map [not supposed to be comprehensive] showing 10 extant localities
surveyed during 1986-1990. This and other rainforest species are certainly
under pressure from deforestation and commercial collecting (wild stock of
Puntius titteya are commonly exported [at least to Europe] though captivity
bred stocks are most often sold) but even from Sri Lanka there are other
candidates which are much more likely to become extinct in the wild soon.
The conservation status of Puntius titteya is given as: "Endemic. Common,
but the more colorful varieties are possibly being overfished. Pollution of
streams and deforestation probably pose bigger threads." Puntius titteya
and 4 other commercially important endemic species are (ineffectively)
protected by Sri Lankan law. The same 5 species are listed in the IUCN red
list from 1988 for no other apparent reason than being officially
protected. Based on an extensive survey, none of these species is
considered especially endangered by Pethiyagoda. Regarding other endemic
fishes, he considers 6 species endangered and 3 vulnerable. Only 1 species
of the latter group is regularly bred in captivity: Danio pathirana.
Another species 'believed' to be extinct was Botia sidthimunki. This rumour
started because the usual collecting site of a Thai aquarium fish company
was reported to be flooded by a dam. However, the species has a pretty
large range of distribution including southern Laos (and likely northern
Cambodia), areas which have been inaccessible for many years. Botia
nigrolineata, a sibling species from Yunnan and northern Laos, is now
commonly traded.
'Extinction' as announced by aquarium fish exporters usually translates
into 'our local collector(s) don't catch them any more or the numbers are
too low to make enough profit'... [Of course, there are some dedicated
enthusiasts with a lot of knowledge too!]
Best wishes,
kai