Native to southern India with the type series originating from the ‘Tunga River at Shimoga in Karnataka’ (previously Mysore) state. The Tunga is part of the Upper Krishna River drainage and arises from a hill known as Varaha Parvata in the Western Ghats mountain range.
It flows northeastwards, through the districts of Chikkamagaluru and Shimoga, before emptying into the Bhadra River from which point it’s known as the Tungabhadra until it enters the Krishna in Andhra Pradesh state.
Not difficult to keep in a well-maintained set-up, but a display arranged to resemble a flowing stream or river, with a substrate of variably-sized, water-worn rocks, sand, fine gravel and perhaps some small boulders, is highly recommended. This can be further furnished with driftwood roots or branches and hardy aquatic plants such as Microsorum, Bolbitis, or Anubias spp., which can be grown attached to items of décor.
Most importantly, the water must be clean and well-oxygenated with turnover preferably in excess of 10 times per hour; additional powerheads and airstones can be employed to achieve the desired flow and oxygenation if necessary. Bright lighting will promote development of biofilm on solid surfaces, upon which the fish will graze.
