PFK Articles: Alternative barbs for the community tank

[AquaticQuotient.com]

Pete Cottle looks at some of the more recently introduced and unusual barbs on sale in the shops.


Copyright © Practical Fishkeeping

In the previous two issues, we’ve seen some gorgeous barbs that are perfect for the community aquarium as well as some definite tankbusters.

This time round I hope to give you ideas about more unusual barbs.

Osteobrama belangeri
Let’s start with a large one. Osteobrama belangeri is a very large barb that can only be kept in a spacious aquarium.

To reach its full potential, it will need a tank of minimum size 180 x 60 x 60cm/6’ x 2’ x 2’ with good filtration. It is a fish that is not often available.

I have only ever seen small specimens, and if they retain their colours when fully grown, it will be quite stunning.

The overall colour is a golden yellow, and it has six black bars evenly spaced along its flanks. For those who like big fish, this is a beauty. As a bonus, it does not appear to be aggressive.


Puntius denisonii
The beautiful Red Line Torpedo barb, Puntius denisonii, is a relative new kid on the block. Although this species can grow to 15cm/6”, it is ideally suited for a community tank.

Originally described by Day in 1865, it was virtually unknown until 1999 when they were ‘rediscovered’.

Since then they have proved to be a very popular, if somewhat expensive, addition to the community aquarium. With a bright red stripe extending from the nose past the dorsal fin, they are a very showy fish.

Wild fish are currently coming from Kannaur, Kerala, in India. Four or more in an aquarium will make a superb display, particularly if you have a red enhancing light. There are no reports of a successful captive breeding of this species.


Indian Drape fin barb
The Indian Drape fin barb is another barb that is fairly new. Its highlight is the very large dorsal fin on the male fish.

It was originally thought that this fish was within the genus Oreichthys, but the current feeling is that it is probably an undescribed Puntius.

It is a small silver fish with a black spot in the caudal peduncle. The dorsal fin is elongated in the male and has a yellow flash topped with black.

A pretty fish which is probably happier in softer water, and which shows its best colours in a well planted tank.


Puntius rhomboocellatus
Puntius rhomboocellatus comes mainly from Borneo, although in all probability most of those we see are tank-bred specimens.

The overall colour is a pale red and it has black ocellated markings on its sides. These markings are in the form of black oval rings along the flanks of the fish. The fins, except for the pectorals, are orange.

Males tend to show off against one another, which only enhances their colours. They are a peaceful species and are compatible with all of the small barbs.


Puntius fasciolatus
P. fasciolatus is one that many fishkeepers will probably know better as Barbus bariloides. The name was changed a few years ago, but old habits die hard.

It is a slim, orange-red fish with numerous narrow black bars along its flanks. The fins are a similar colour to the body.

It is quite active and always on the move searching for food. Quite often when this species is imported, the body is very thin and it needs plenty of good food to get back in good condition. An excellent community fish.


Puntius fasciatus

The Melon barb, P. fasciatus, is another barb that has changed its name in recent years. It used to be called Barbus melanympyx.

Its colour varies enormously, depending on its place of origin. Those from India usually have a fair amount of red with four or five black spots or bands along its length. A peaceful species that is well suited to a community tank.


Puntius naranyani
Last, but by no means least, is one of my favourites. P. naranyani or Narayan's barb comes from Sri Lanka. It is another of the smaller barbs, growing to only 5cm/2”.

It is a deep-bodied fish like the Tiger barb, but that is where the similarity ends! It has no bad habits and is not a spectacularly coloured fish; quite the contrary.

The colours are muted, pale but so very nice when seen in the right environment.

The body is silver with a hint of blue. There are two well-defined black spots, one between the gill cover and the dorsal fin, the other between the end of the dorsal and the start of the caudal.

The dorsal and anal fins have a hint of red in them.

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