Fresh water fishes of sri lanka

Across the rivers, streams and lakes of Sri Lanka thrives an extraordinary diversity of freshwater fishes, with around 95 recorded species – over half of them found only on this island. Nearly 70% of Sri Lanka’s freshwater species are endemic, making it one of the world’s true aquatic biodiversity hotspots (Goonatilake, 2007). These fishes flourish across the country’s unique tropical lowland and montane ecosystems, from fast-flowing streams to placid reservoirs. This remarkable richness is a vital part of Sri Lanka’s natural heritage and supports local livelihoods, traditional knowledge and conservation efforts.