[4] The species is named after later Dr. Sam Bomansha Setna,[5] who was the first Director of Fisheries of the erstwhile Bombay State.

The species has been imported in recent years for the aquarium trade where it is sometimes referred to as the Indigo Barb or Narayan Barb, the latter an unfortunate name that has caused confusion between this species and Pethia narayani.

[8] P. setani can be successfully maintained in water temperatures of 20–27 °C, pH of 6.0–7.5 and hardness 90–268 ppm.

It is an omnivore and most likely to be found eating worms, as well as insects, other small sized Invertebrate, plant material and organic detritus.

[1] Mining operations, tourism activities, organic wastes and sewage are reported as major threats to this species.