Taxonomy & naming
Hamilton described the species in 1822 as Cyprinus cosuatis, from Nathpur on the Kosi River. It is now placed in Oreichthys, with the authority in parentheses. The epithet is a vernacular name recorded by Hamilton.
Morphology
Oreichthys are very small, slender barbs. FishBase gives this species a maximum of 3 in TL; colour has not been described in the sources the atlas uses.
Habitat
FishBase describes it as living in ditches, ponds, streams and canals, the slow, vegetated waters of the northern Indian plain. The range covers India, Bangladesh, Thailand and Myanmar. Water parameters have not been published.
Feeding
Oreichthys take small invertebrates and plankton, and graze some algae. The diet of this species has not been described separately.
Mating
Mating behaviour has not been described.
Breeding
Captive breeding has not been documented.
In the aquarium
Treat it as a nano fish: a planted tank with gentle flow, a group of six or more, tiny live or frozen foods and fine dry foods, and peaceful small tankmates only. Care notes come from the genus.
Conservation
The IUCN Red List category is Least Concern, assessed in 2010. Threats have not been described.