SOFAA

🐟💖 A tiny jewel of our rivers, the Cherry Barb lives in shaded streams and ponds of Sri Lanka, especially around Kelani and Nilwala basins. Calm waters and green cover are their safe home. 🌿💧

They are active schooling fish that bring life and color to our freshwater habitats. 🌈🐠

But today, their survival is at risk. Habitat loss, pollution, sand mining, invasive species, and overfishing for the aquarium trade are pushing them towards decline. 🚫🌱

It’s on us to protect them. By caring for our rivers, choosing captive-bred fish, and spreading awareness, we can keep the Cherry Barb swimming free for generations to come. 🌊💚✨

Caption by: Dithara Geeganage
Edited by: Sandupama Liyanage

Dolphinfish, or mahi-mahi (Coryphaena hippurus), is a fast-growing, short-lived pelagic fish prized for its firm, white, delicate-flavoured meat 🍽️. Found in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide, it’s popular in the U.S., Caribbean, Japan, and beyond 🌊🎣.

This versatile fish can be broiled, poached, or grilled, making it a favourite for many culinary dishes. Mahi-mahi supports both commercial and recreational fisheries thanks to its high food value and rapid reproduction 🐟🌏.

🎨: Chanuga Denuk
✍️ :Esandi Thilakarathna

💫 Honouring a Guiding Light ✨

With deep appreciation, we salute Mrs. R.D.N. Wijesinghe, Senior Lecturer at the Dept of Fisheries and Aquaculture, for her remarkable service to our faculty 🎓 and SOFAA.🌊🐟

Your leadership lit the way, and your passion left a lasting mark on us all. 🌟

As you step into a new chapter abroad, our warmest wishes follow you. 💐

Thank you for everything you've given — your legacy remains. 🌿

Post by - Nishara Vithana
Caption by - Chethani Amarasekara

Tetra Fish : Jewels of the Aquarium! ✨🐟

Tetras are small, vibrant fish that love to swim in groups 🏃‍♂🏃‍♀. They thrive in well-planted tanks with clean, stable water (75–82°F, pH 6.0–7.0) and need plenty of space to explore.

These peaceful swimmers enjoy a balanced diet of flakes, live, or frozen foods 🍽—just feed small amounts once or twice a day.

For breeding, soft acidic water and a separate tank help fry grow safely. 🥚🌿

Keep their tank clean with regular water changes and good filtration for happy, healthy fish! 💧✨ Perfect for beginners and community tanks alike.

Bandula Barb (Pethia bandula) – බන්දුල පෙතියා

🐟✨ A stunning and peaceful freshwater fish found only in a tiny 1.5 km stream in Galapitamada, Sri Lanka.

Critically endangered and facing threats from habitat destruction, pollution from pesticides & fertilizers, and illegal aquarium trade, its numbers are dwindling fast. 🌿🚫

We must act now to protect this unique species and the fragile freshwater ecosystems it calls home. Together, we can raise awareness, reduce pollution, and support conservation efforts to save the Bandula Barb from extinction! 🌊💚

Photo credit: Fishbase

🌊🐟 Asoka Barb – Systomus Asoka 🇱🇰

Endemic to Sri Lanka, the Asoka Barb (Systomus asoka) is found only in the upper reaches of the Sitawaka River and its tributaries, and the Kelani River near Kitulgala. These fast swimmers thrive in deep, fast-flowing streams with gravel or sand bottoms, preferring unshaded well oxygenated waters.

✨Special behaviours

Juveniles form large, lively schools of 30–100 fish in shallow downstream areas, while adults move upstream to deeper waters and become more solitary.

Asoka Barbs are quick and elusive, often hard to spot from the surface.

They are oviparous, laying eggs with little to no parental care.

Not migratory-they spend their whole lives in their native home streams.

⚠Conservation Status

The Asoka Barb is now Critically Endangered due to habitat loss and over-collection for the aquarium trade. Conservation projects are underway, including captive breeding and community education, to help save this unique species from extinction.

Let’s protect our rivers and the rare life they hold! 🌱💧

Post by : Tharuka Fernando
Caption by : Viduranga Sathsarana

🐠✨Siamase Fighter Fish: Betta splendens ; Colorful Warriors of the Water World! ✨🐠

These vibrant Bettas come in stunning colors and elaborate fin types! Males are territorial fighters (hence the name!) who flare their fins and engage in combat. With their special air-breathing labyrinth organ, they're incredibly adaptable.🐠🌿

They build bubble nests for breeding, recognize their owners, and can live 3-5 years with proper care.Fighter fish farming requires minimal space and investment, making it a perfect business venture for urban or rural settings!

Feed them well with live food and protein-rich diets to enhance their vivid colors. Discover the perfect blend of beauty, fascinating behavior, and business potential! 🌈💪🫧

Post by - Pubudu Hendeniya, Viduranga Sathsarana
Caption by - Lakmini Madumali