Harlequin rasbora of a harlequin. The harlequin rasbora is a fish that has an approximately lozenge-shaped body, whose basal colour from the head to the caudal peduncle is an orange-pink, the exact hue varying depending upon such factors as water conditions and the original population from which the fish was obtained. The posterior half of the body is overlaid with a large, roughly triangular black marking, that tapers toward the terminal end of the caudal peduncle, and begins approximately below the midpoint of the attachment of the dorsal fin (commonly called a "black wedge"). In common with all cyprinids, the articulation of
Pethia cumingii at the base of the caudal peduncle posterior to base of anal. Both blotches are widest at the lateral line. Eye pale yellow or white. Dosal and ventral orange, with two horizontal rows of 5-7 black spots on dorsal which has a black tip to its anterior spine. Remaining fins yellow (Daraniyagala,1952).Dorsally olive, the side being silvery with a golden sheen. There are two vertically elongate blotches rather larger than the eye, one above the anal fine and the other above and behind the operculum. The dorsal and pelvic fines have yellow (Daraniyagala,1952 / Pethiyagoda 1991). Fins. D II.8, A