Dawkinsia is a genus of cyprinid fishes from freshwater in South India and Sri Lanka. It was recently split off from genus Puntius. Dawkinsia is named after the evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins in recognition of his 'contribution to the public understanding of science, particularly, of evolutionary science'.:p.80 Dawkins describes this as 'a great honour'. Adults typically measure 8–12 cm (3.1–4.7 in) SL. They do not have rostral barbels but might have maxillary barbels. Juveniles have a colour pattern consisting of three black bars on body; this persists to adult stage in some species. Adults have a black, horizontally elongate blotch on the caudalpeduncle.:p.80 There are currently nine recognized species in this genus: