CYPRINDS
Rosy Barb
Puntius conchonius
SYN: Barbus conchonius, Cyprinus conchonius, Systomus conchonius
PD: The Rosy Barb has no barbels and has slight lateral compression. The back is copper to green-gold. The flanks are bright orange to red and metallic looking. Near the caudal peduncle is a black spot. The reddish fins may be elaborate with the anal and dorsal fins have black borders along the upper-parts. Males turn a deep, but bright red color at spawning times.
SIZE: To 6" (15 cm), although rarely larger than 4" (10 cm) in captivity.
SS: None
HAB: Inhabits still and moving waters. Asia; Bengal and Assam (Northeastern India).
S: All
TANK: A tank measuring 24" (61 cm) with a capacity of 20 gallons (75 L) or a tank measuring 30" (76 cm) with a capacity of 20 gallons (75 L) is adequate for smaller fish (under 4"-10 cm). Leave large open swimming areas. Plant the corners and rear of the aquarium with hardy plants. The substrate should be fine gravel or sand and a few floating plants add comfort.
WATER: pH 6-7.5 (6.8), 2-10 dH (5), 64-75�F (18-24�C)
SB: A lively, schooling species that may disturb quieter species in a community tank. Adults may nibble fine or soft leafed plants.
SC: Danios, Gouramis, Loaches, Doradids, Loricarids, Epalzeorhynchus.
FOOD: Live; Brine Shrimp, insect larvae; Tubifex, flying insects; flakes; spinach.
SEX: Males are smaller and more colorful.
B: Use a breeding tank with a substrate of marbles and furnished with many fine-leafed plants. The water should have a temperature between 73-79�F (23-26�C) and a water level of only three to eight inches. Add one male and two females to the tank during the evening. After an active, morning courtship, the fish spawn among the plants. They are notorious egg-eater and should be removed immediately after spawning. The tank should be covered with dark paper so the chances of fungal infections is reduced. The eggs hatch after 24-30 hours and the fry can be fed with rotifers, liquid foods, and powdered flakes foods after their yolk sac is finished.
BP: 5. A prolific species that is easy to breed if the eggs can be protected from the parents. It is not uncommon for some fry to reach maturity in a sparsely populated, heavily planted tank.
R: Sexually mature from 2.4" (6 cm). A common form, the Long-finned Rosy Barb is widely available. Fish are sensitive to large amounts of new water, so frequent partial water changes should be made.
DC: 2. A robust species that is an excellent candidate for the community tank having other active fish.
Clown Barb, Everett's Barb
Puntius everetti
SYN: Barbus everetti
PD: An elongated species with two pairs of barbels. The back is orange-brown to brown, and the belly is yellow to white. The sides are orange to red with several irregular bars. Usually four of these black markings can be found on the body. The fins are reddish-orange in color and the front part of the iris of the eye may be red.
SIZE: To 6" (15 cm) in nature, usually does not exceed 4.3" (11 cm) in aquaria
SS: Cuming's Barb ( P. cumingi)
HAB: Found in still and slow-moving water. Southeast Asia; Borneo, Bunguran Islands, Singapore
S: bottom, middle
TANK: A tank measuring 32" (81 cm) with a capacity of 30 gallons (114 L) is adequate. Leave open swimming areas in the middle of the tank and place plantings along the edges. Use rocks, roots, and wood to create hiding places.
WATER: pH 6-7.2 (6.8), 2-11 dH (5), 75-86�F (24-30�C)
SB: An active species which tends to form schools. Adults have been known to nibble the leafs of softer leafed plants. Combine with similarly sized species.
SC: Danios, Barbs, Gouramis, Loaches, Doradids, Loricarids, Corydoras, Epalzeorhynchus.
FOOD: Plant material; vegetables; lettuce, spinach; oatmeal; vegetable flakes; tablets; live; crustaceans, insect larvae, Tubifex .
SEX: Males are more slender and more brightly colored.
B: Use a large tank with a water level of four to six inches deep. Use water with a temperature from 79-84�F (26-29�C), a water hardness from 2-6 dH, and a pH of 7.0. Use a substrate of marbles and plants the tank heavily with bunches of fine-leafed plants. Separate a healthy looking pair for three to four weeks prior to the intended spawning time. These should be conditioned separately on large amounts of bloodworms, mosquito larvae, white worms, and vegetable foods. Spawning is usually initiated by early morning sunlight. From 500-2000 eggs are scattered among the plants after an active courtship. The parents should be removed just following the spawning. The fry hatch after 20-30 days and are free-swimming several days later. The fry can be raised on rotifers, Infusoria, and powdered dry foods. The fry are sensitive to water pollutants and changes in water conditions. Thus it is important to make small, partial water changes on a regular basis.
BP: 6. With proper conditioning, spawning comes fairly easily.
R: Males take 1.5 to 2 years to reach maturity, while female are mature at one year. Do not keep this species in alkaline water as this fish does very poorly.
DC: 4. A species that requires a varied diet and frequent partial water changes to prosper.
T Barb, Spanner Barb
Puntius laterstriga
SYN: Barbus laterstriga, B. zelleri, Systomus laterstriga
PD: An elongated species with two pairs of barbels. The body coloration is generally brown-silver with a silver iridescence, although can be bluish or red. The body is marked with two broad bands which are black in color, and a black horizontal stripe that runs from the gill cover, though the black bands to the vertex of the caudal fin. The name of the T-Barb is derived from the sideways "T" created by the positioning of the second band and the horizontal line. The fins are colorless.
SIZE: To 7" (18 cm) in nature, usually smaller in aquaria
SS: None
HAB: Southeast Asia; Borneo, Sumatra, Java, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand
S: bottom, middle
TANK: A tank measuring 36" (91 cm) with a capacity of 35 gallons (132 L) is adequate. As for P. everetti .
WATER: pH 6-7.5 (6.8), 2-12 dH (5), 77-84�F (25-29�C)
SB: An active species which tends to form schools while young. Adults may become solitary. Combine with similarly sized species.
SC: Danios, Barbs, Gouramis, Loaches, Doradids, Loricarids, Corydoras, Epalzeorhynchus.
FOOD: Plant material; vegetables; lettuce, spinach; oatmeal; vegetable flakes; tablets; live; crustaceans, insect larvae, Tubifex .
SEX: Males are more slender and more brightly colored.
B: Use a large tank (36" or more) with a water level of four to six inches deep. Use water with a temperature from 79-84�F (26-29�C), a water hardness from 2-6 dH, and a pH of 7.0. Use a substrate of marbles and plants the tank heavily with bunches of fine-leafed plants. Separate a healthy looking pair for three to four weeks prior to the intended spawning time. These should be conditioned separately on large amounts of bloodworms, mosquito larvae, white worms, and vegetable foods. Make frequent partial water changes of each fish's tank. Introduce the pair into the breeding tank. Spawning is usually initiated by early morning sunlight. As many as 3000 eggs are scattered among the plants after an active courtship. The parents should be removed just following the spawning. The fry hatch after 2 days and are free-swimming several days later. The fry can be raised on rotifers, Infusoria, and powdered dry foods.
BP: 6. With proper conditioning, spawning comes fairly easily.
R: Make frequent partial water changes. This species has an interesting habit of burying itself when pursued. This species may consume plants if not fed the proper amounts of vegetable foods.
DC: 5. A larger species that requires frequent partial water changes to prosper.
Black Ruby Barb, Purple-headed Barb
Puntius nigrofasciatus
SYN: Barbus nigrofasciatus
PD: A high-backed, deep bodied fish that lacks barbels. The head is dark crimson red in color and the flanks are marked with three to four, dark transverse bars. The first is located above the eye, while the last is located near the caudal peduncle. The back is usually dark copper brown. The body coloration depends on the sex. In the spawning season, males have a bright crimson red body and a red caudal fin. Females have yellowish orange-gray coloring with a peach colored caudal fin. The other fins on both sexes are black. Males in normal dress resemble females, although they are brighter in color.
SIZE: To 2.4" (6 cm)
SS: Spanner Barb ( P. laterstriga)
HAB: Slow-flowing streams and rivers with abundant vegetation in Southern Sri Lanka.
S: bottom, middle
TANK: A tank measuring 30" (76 cm) with a volume of 20-30 gallons (75-114 L) is sufficient. The tank should be heavily planted with a cover of floating plants. Use roots, wood, and rocks to create hiding places. The gravel should be fine and dark in color.
WATER: pH 5.5-7 (6.5), dH 2-15 (6), 68-79�F (20-26�C)
SB: An active, but peaceful schooling fish that forms schools. A good candidate for a community tank.
SC: Danios, Barbs, Acaras, Eartheaters, Gouramis, Loaches, Doradids, Loricarids, Epalzeorhynchus, Corydoras.
FOOD: Flakes, especially vegetable types; live; insects, insect larvae, worms, crustaceans; plant matter.
SEX: The male attains a large size, although is more slender. Males also have brighter colors, especially around spawning times.
B: Use water with a temperature from 77-82�F (25-28�C), a water hardness from 4-10 dH, and a pH around 6.0. Spawning is initiated by the rising of the morning sun, and occurs near fine-leafed plants. Use a marble substrate so that the eggs can fall out of reach of the parents. From 300-500 eggs are laid over a period of 1.5 to two hours. The parents should be removed following the spawning. The eggs should be kept in a dark tank until they hatch 24-25 hours. The young can be first fed with Infusoria after they are free-swimming 6-7 days later.
BP: 6. Breeding is fairly easy, although males may sometimes not be ready for spawning.
R: This barb is sensitive to old water and pollutants, thus the water should be changed on a regular basis. When stressed, this fish is susceptible to "Ich" or white-spot disease.
DC: 3. A hardy species that can be kept in a community tank.
Five-banded Barb
Puntius pentazona pentazona
SYN: Barbus pentazona, Barbodes pentazona
PD: An elongated, high backed barb with a pair of barbels. The back is olive brown to dark orange, while the flanks are orange-brown. The gill cover is red-orange and the throat and belly are white. The body is marked with five transverse bands. The first runs through the eye, while the last runs near the caudal peduncle. The fins may have a slight orange tint, although the anal and ventral fins are red. The eye is large in comparison to the rest of the body.
SIZE: To 2" (5 cm)
SS: Six-banded Barb ( P. hexazona), ( P. johorensis)
HAB: In stagnate pools and ponds, usually blackwater. Southeast Asia; Borneo, Malay Peninsula, Singapore.
S: middle
TANK: A tank measuring 24" (61 cm) with a capacity of 20 gallons (75 L) is recommended. Plant the sides and edges with robust plants. Provide hiding places with rocks, roots, and wood. Use a dark colored substrate.
WATER: pH 5-7 (6.2), 2-12 dH (5), 75-82�F (24-28�C)
SB: A shy, peaceful species that should not be combined with lively fish. This species can be combined with other barbs and gouramis.
SC: Gouramis, Barbs, Loaches, Doradids, Loricarids, Epalzeorhynchus.
FOOD: Flakes; live; crustaceans, insects, Tubifex, insect larvae.
SEX: Males are more slender, smaller, and have brighter colors.
B: Use water with a pH from 5.5-6.0, a water hardness less than 5 dH, and a temperature from 81-86�F (27-30�C). The water should be peat filtered and clean. The pair should be conditioned together with insect larvae and flying insects. Use bunches of fine-leafed plants and marbles as a substrate so that the adults are not to eat their eggs. Spawning last from one to one and a half hours, and the parents should be fed with white worms throughout. Remove the pair immediately after spawning. 150-250 eggs will adhere to plants. These hatch after 28-30 hours, and the fry are free-swimming 4-5 days later. Start feeding with Infusoria and liquid foods. Later the fry can be fed Search Results Web results Brine shrimp (Artemia) nauplii. The fry are very sensitive to water pollutants and new water.
BP: 8. A moderately difficult species to breed, and the young are difficult to raise.
R: The Five-banded Barb has trouble acclimating to a new tank, although it becomes very hardy after this period. The colors only develop in well-maintained water.
DC: 5. A robust species after acclimation.
Tinfoil Barb, Schwanenfeld's Barb
Puntius schwanenfeldi
SYN: Barbus schwanenfeldi
PD: A high-backed fish with a laterally compressed body. The mouth has two pairs of barbels The body is silvery with a bluish to yellow iridescence. The scales have a metallic look. The dorsal, anal, and pectoral fins are bright orange-red. The tip of the dorsal fin is black and white, and the caudal fin is dark red. The iris of the eye is amber-gold.
SIZE: To 16" (41 cm) in nature, although rarely larger than 13" (33 cm) in captivity.
SS: None
HAB: Southeast Asia; Borneo, Malaysia, Sumatra, Thailand
S: bottom, middle
TANK: A tank measuring 48" (122 cm) with a capacity of 50 gallons (190 L) is sufficient for fish to 5.5" (14 cm). Adult fish require a much larger tank such as a 72" (183 cm) with a capacity of 100 gallons (378 L). This fish needs lots of large open swimming areas and as a result must be moved to larger tanks as it grows. Eventually the Tinfoil Barb should be donated to a public aquarium or a tank of the size recommended above. Use large, robust plants in the corners and rear of the tank.
WATER: pH 6-7.7 (6.8), dH 2-15 (5), 70-77�F (21-25�C)
SB: A lively and peaceful species that forms schools. Combine this species with other large fish including peaceful cichlids.
FOOD: Plant matter; spinach; lettuce; live; crustaceans, insects, insect larvae, fish fry; pellets; flakes. A greedy feeder.
SC: Giant Danios, Gouramis, Loaches, Doradids, Loricarids, Epalzeorhynchus, Acaras, Eartheaters, Oscar, Pacu, Leporinus, Anostomus.
SEX: No external signs can be seen.
B: This species is actually fairly easy to breed in a large tank, over 175 gallons. Use soft, neutral water with a temperature from 77-82�F (25-28�C). Furnish the tank with bunches of plants and coarse gravel or marbles. The pairs will lay 2000-4000 eggs among plants. Feed the pair abundantly during the spawning so that they will not consume their eggs. The adults should be removed right after spawning. The eggs hatch after a couple days and the fry are free-swimming about a week later. Start feeding with Artemia nauplii.
BP: 8. The most difficult part in spawning this fish is obtaining a large enough tank.
R: This species is not recommended for private aquariums. If this species is not fed enough vegetable foods, it will attack plants. The Tinfoil Barb grows very quickly.
DC: 6. This species reaches a large size, although it is very hardy.
Tiger Barb, Sumatra Barb
Puntius tetrazona
SYN: Barbus tetrazon
PD: The Tiger Barb is high-backed fish with no barbels. Its back is brown to orange and the belly is white to silver. The flanks are silvery orange with a white iridescence. The body is marked with four, transverse bands; the first running through the eye, and the last running along the base of the caudal fin. The caudal fin is light orange but transparent. The dorsal fin is mostly black with a red fringe the edge. The other fins are transparent with an orange tint. The tip of the snout may be reddish.
SIZE: To 3" (7.5 cm)
SS: Banded Barb ( P. tetrazon partipentazona)
S: bottom, middle
HAB: Still and slow moving rivers. Southeast Asia; Borneo, Indonesia, and Sumatra
TANK: A tank measuring 20" (51 cm) with a capacity of 10 gallons (38 L) is adequate for small fish under 1.5" (4 cm) in length. Larger fish should be kept in a 24" (61 cm) tank with a volume of 20 gallons (75 L). The tank should be well-planted with hardy plants. Use a sandy or fine gravel substrate for burrowing.
WATER: pH 6.5-7.5 (6.7); 3-10 dH (5); 68-77�F (20-25�C)
SB: Not recommended for a "typical" community tank because these fish are usually a nuisance toward tank mates. They are a shoaling fish. Don't combine with fish that have long or flowing fins (Angelfish or Siamese fighting fish) because Tiger Barbs will nibble at them. A large tank helps reduce this aggressiveness.
SC: Danios, Gouramis, Loaches, Doradids, Loricarids, Epalzeorhynchus.
FOOD: Flakes, vegetable foods; live; insect larvae, insects, Brine Shrimp, Tubifex worms.
SEX: The male is redder and smaller. It is paler during spawning season.
B: Use bunches of fine-leafed plants and use a substrate of marbles. The parents should be fed on white worms during the spawning. The female produces between 500 and 1000 eggs in slightly acidic (6.5) water, which hatch in 24-30 hours. The parents should be removed after eggs have been laid. Feed adults whiteworms during spawning so they don't eat eggs as they are laid.
BP: 6. Breeding is fairly easy as long as the eggs are saved from the parents.
R: Several cultivated varieties exist, such as the Albino Tiger Barb, the Blushing Tiger Barb, and the Green Tiger Barb. Very susceptible to the parasite, "Ich."
DC: 4. A sensitive, but colorful aquarium fish.
Cherry Barb
Puntius titteya
SYN: Barbus titteya, B. frenatus
PD: Has one pair of barbels on the upper jaw near the corners of the mouth. The back is brownish red in color with a green iridescence. Fins are red in color. A black broken line extends from the snout through the eye and through the center of the tail. Above this marking in an iridescent yellow stripe that also runs the length of the body. The upper half of the iris is gold while the lower, red.
SIZE: To 2" (5 cm)
SS: None
HAB: Well-shaded rainforest creeks and rivers with slow moving water in Sri Lanka. Usually in grassy or bushy areas.
S: bottom, middle
TANK: A tank measuring 20 (51 cm) with a capacity of 10 gallons (39 L) is recommended. The tank should be well-planted and have a partial cover of floating plants. Provide a fine gravel bottom for burrowing and leave open swimming areas.
WATER: pH 6-7.5 (6.5), 4-18 dH (8), 73-81�F (23-27�C)
SB: A peaceful, timid, schooling fish that can be kept with other small peaceful tank mates. Will sometimes become nervous around other active fish.
SC: Gouramis, Loaches, Doradids, Loricarids, Epalzeorhynchus, tetras, hatchetfish.
FOOD: Live; insect larvae, flying insects, Tubifex, Brine Shrimp; pellets; flakes.
SEX: Males are slimmer, smaller, more colorful, and more elaborate fins.
B: Use water with the following values: 78-81�F (26-27�C), a pH of 6.0-6.5, and a water hardness of 4-10 dH. Place a pair in a heavily planted breeding tank. One to three eggs are laid at each pairing until 200-300 eggs are laid. The eggs are attached to threads that are attached to plants. Feed the parents white worms during spawning to insure that they do not eat their eggs. After spawning has been completed, remove the pair. The fry hatch after 24 hours and are free swimming after 2-3 days. Start feeding with newly hatched brine shrimp and crushed flakes.
BP: 5. An easily bred species.
R: A popular barb. Somewhat susceptible to Velvet disease, but regular partial water changes greatly reduce chances of getting it. This species is nearly extinct in nature.
DC: 2. A robust and colorful fish recommended for community tanks.