Indian Ricefish

Fascinating facts about the Indian Ricefish

• At barely 3.1 cm to 4 cm long, the Indian ricefish is very small.
• This species is found in both brackish estuaries and inland fresh streams.
• The Indian ricefish occurs in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Thailand.
• First recorded in 1822, the fish was originally named Cyprinus dancena by Francis Buchanan-Hamilton, who collected the type specimen from the “Estuary below Calcutta.” The later re-classification to Oryzias dancena reflects over two centuries of taxonomic refinement. Its naming history reminds us that scientific understanding evolves just like the species it describes.

At a glance

About the Indian Ricefish

The Indian ricefish, Oryzias dancena, reaches a maximum length of about 3.1 to 4 centimetres. It was described by Francis Buchanan-Hamilton in 1822 as Cyprinus dancena, with the type locality given as “Estuary below Calcutta.” The species is native to India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Thailand and is found in brackish habitats near the coast as well as in fresh water. It is not considered threatened.

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