Barbonymus gonionotus
Barbonymus gonionotus
(Java Barb)
Fishes
Exotic
Collection Info
Point Map
Species Profile
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Photography by Wibowo Djatmiko Copyright Info
Barbonymus gonionotus (Bleeker, 1850)
Common name: Java Barb
Synonyms and Other Names: Puntius gonionotus (Bleeker, 1849), Barbus javanicus (Bleeker, 1855); Silver Barb, Thai Sharputi, Javanese Barb, Javanese Carp, Puntius, Puntius Carp, Tawes, Thai Silver Barb, Thai Silver Carp
Taxonomy: available through www.itis.govITIS logo

Identification: Barbonymus gonionotus has a strongly compressed body with a small head and arched back to the dorsal fin. The body is a silvery white color, sometimes with a golden tint. This species has a pointed snout with a terminal mouth and minute barbels. The dorsal and caudal fins are a gray to gray-yellow color and the anal and pelvic fins can be light orange to yellow (Kottelat 1998; Taki 1974). 
Size: Record total length of 90 cm was caught in Malaysia (Fishing World Records.com 2017), but average total length is around 40.5 cm (Hardjamulia et al. 1988).
Native Range: Barbonymus gonionotus is native to Southeast Asia and can be found throughout the Mekong and Chao Phraya basins, Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Java (Kottelat 1998).
Hydrologic Unit Codes (HUCs) Explained
Interactive maps: Point Distribution Maps

Nonindigenous Occurrences:

Table 1. States with nonindigenous occurrences, the earliest and latest observations in each state, and the tally and names of HUCs with observations†. Names and dates are hyperlinked to their relevant specimen records. The list of references for all nonindigenous occurrences of Barbonymus gonionotus are found here.

StateFirst ObservedLast ObservedTotal HUCs with observations†HUCs with observations†
FL201720171Florida Southeast Coast

Table last updated 3/28/2025

† Populations may not be currently present.
Ecology: Barbonymus gonionotus occurs at mid-water to bottom depths in rivers and reservoirs and prefers standing water habitats instead of flowing waters. This species feeds mostly as an herbivore on aquatic plants but will also consume invertebrates. Barbonymus gonionotus is known to migrate upstream during the rainy season in its native range, and can often be found in flooded forests during high water events (Rainboth 1996). 
Means of Introduction: Because B. gonionotus is in the aquarium trade, it is likely an aquarium release (Froese and Pauly 2017). The species is also popular in Southeast Asian aquaculture and cuisine (Davidson 1975) making it a possible released food fish.
Status: The status is unknown as the Florida specimen was released after capture. 
Impact of Introduction: The impact is unknown. However, because Barbonymus gonionotus is an herbivore (Rainboth 1996; Froese and Pauly 2017) it has the potential to alter habitats.
Remarks: Barbonymus gonionotus is an important food fish in Thai, Lao and Cambodian cuisine (Davidson 1975) and a common aquaculture species in Southeast Asia (FishStatJ 2016). 
References: (click for full references)

Davidson, A. 1975. Fish and fish dishes of Laos. CE Tuttle Co.

Fisheries and aquaculture software. FishStatJ - software for fishery statistical time series. In: FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department [online]. Rome. Updated 07/21/2016. Accessed 07/13/2017.

Fishing World Records. 2017. Barbonymus gonionotus; Java Barb, Silver Barb. http://www.fishing-worldrecords.com/scientificname/Barbonymus%20gonionotus/show. Created on 04/28/2017. Accessed on 07/13/2017.

Froese, R. and D. Pauly. 2017. FishBase. World wide web electronic publication. Barbonymus gonionotus. http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?ID=286&AT=silver+barb. Accessed on 07/13/2017.

Killer, E. 2017. Treasure coast fishing report: exotics abound. TCPalm.com (Treasure Coast and Palm Beaches). June 22. http://www.tcpalm.com/story/sports/outdoors/fishing/2017/06/22/treasure-coast-fishing-report-exotics-abound/418974001/. Created on 06/22/2017. Accessed on 06/23/2017.

Kottelat, M. 1998. Fishes of the Nam Theun and Xe Bangfai basins, Laos, with diagnoses of twenty-two new species (Teleostei: Cyprinidae, Balitoridae, Cobitidae, Coiidae and Odontobutidae). Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters 9(1):1-128.

Rainboth, W.J. 1996. Fishes of the Cambodian Mekong. FAO species identification field guide for fishery purposes. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy. http://www.fao.org/docrep/010/v8731e/v8731e00.htm.

Taki, Y. 1974. Fishes of the Lao Mekong Basin. United States Agency for International Development Mission to Laos Agriculture Division. 232 p.

FishBase Summary
Author: Daniel, W.M.
Revision Date: 7/17/2017
Peer Review Date: 7/17/2017

Citation Information:
Daniel, W.M., 2025, Barbonymus gonionotus (Bleeker, 1850): U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL, https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?speciesID=3165, Revision Date: 7/17/2017, Peer Review Date: 7/17/2017, Access Date: 3/28/2025

This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information.

Disclaimer:

The data represented on this site vary in accuracy, scale, completeness, extent of coverage and origin. It is the user's responsibility to use these data consistent with their intended purpose and within stated limitations. We highly recommend reviewing metadata files prior to interpreting these data.

Citation information: U.S. Geological Survey. [2025]. Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database. Gainesville, Florida. Accessed [3/28/2025].

Contact us if you are using data from this site for a publication to make sure the data are being used appropriately and for potential co-authorship if warranted.

For general information and questions about the database, contact Wesley Daniel. For problems and technical issues, contact Matthew Neilson.



Disclaimer:

The Nonindigenous Occurrences section of the NAS species profiles has a new structure. The section is now dynamically updated from the NAS database to ensure that it contains the most current and accurate information. Occurrences are summarized in Table 1, alphabetically by state, with years of earliest and most recent observations, and the tally and names of drainages where the species was observed. The table contains hyperlinks to collections tables of specimens based on the states, years, and drainages selected. References to specimens that were not obtained through sighting reports and personal communications are found through the hyperlink in the Table 1 caption or through the individual specimens linked in the collections tables.



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