It is found in Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India, it is found in many of the same localities as Danio rerio and Danio dangila, an example being the Jorai Rivulet, a tributary of the Sankosh river in Coochbehar district, West Bengal, India.

This fish reaches a maximum length of 6 in (15 cm).

The Indian flying barb is a silver fish with a black line on an elongated body and gold fins.

This fish has an exceptional ability for jumping, hence its name.

Research in 2001 by Fang Fang suggests that Esomus is the genus most closely related to Danio, closer even than Devario.