Page 87 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

CYPRINIDS/BARBS 85

Barbonymus schwanenfeldii Dawkinsia arulius Pethia gelius
Tinfoil Barb Arulius Barb Golden Barb

ORIGINS Southeast Asia, from Thailand and the Malay ORIGINS Asia, restricted to southern and southeastern ORIGINS Asia, where it has been recorded in the central,
Peninsula to Sumatra and Borneo. parts of India. eastern, and northeastern parts of India.
SIZE 14 in (35 cm). SIZE 4 ⁄4 in (12 cm). SIZE 1 ⁄2 in (4 cm).
1
1
DIET Flake and live foods, some plant matter. DIET Flake and live foods, some plant matter. DIET Flake and small live foods, some plant matter.
WATER Temperature 72–77°F (22–25°C); soft (50 mg/l) WATER Temperature 66–77°F (19–25°C); soft (50 mg/l) WATER Temperature 64–72°F (18–22°C); soft (50 mg/l)
and acidic (pH 6.0–6.5). and acidic (pH 6.0–6.5). and acidic to neutral (pH 6.5–7.0).
TEMPERAMENT Agreeable with fish of a similar size. TEMPERAMENT Peaceful and social. TEMPERAMENT Peaceful.
Reddish fins have black In Arulius Barbs, dark banding running down the
markings in adults Tall dorsal fin
body from the dorsal fin is offset against pale
Juvenile underparts. The male, shown below, has extended
rays on the dorsal fin that trail back and almost
reach the tail. When in breeding condition—
which is reached only after the fish are about 18
months old—the male develops white spots
around the mouth and some iridescence. Females
typically produce fewer than 100 eggs at a time.
Tinfoil Barbs are not suitable for a community
aquarium, since they grow rapidly and will soon These barbs can be recognized easily by their small
dwarf the other occupants and possibly even prey size and mottled body, with darker markings often
on them. However, it is usually possible to house extending onto the leading edge of the dorsal fin.
them in a large tank with compatible cichlids of a They are highly social fish and should be kept in
similar size. Tinfoil Barbs will dig in the substrate groups, with the males identifiable by their
and are likely to uproot any plants that are not in brighter coloration. The breeding habits are
pots. Breeding is unlikely in home aquaria. Aside unusual, because females deposit their eggs on
from the natural silver form, an attractive gold- the undersides of the leaves of aquarium plants,
bodied variant has also been established. with Ludwigia being favored for this purpose.

Puntius oligolepis
Checkered Barb

ORIGINS Asia, where it is widely distributed across the
many islands that comprise Indonesia.
SIZE 5 ⁄4 in (15 cm).
3
DIET Flake and live foods, some plant matter.
WATER Temperature 68–75°F (20–24°C); soft (50 mg/l)
and acidic (pH 6.0–6.5).
TEMPERAMENT Placid.
A dark, rather metallic sheen to the upperparts of
the body helps to characterize the Checkered
Barb. Males can be recognized by their deeper
coloration, with the edge of their fins being
black. Young Checkered Barbs grow rapidly
and may be sexually mature by just four
months of age. Spawning occurs near
the surface on water plants such as
Myriophyllum. A pair may produce
up to 300 eggs in the spawning
tank, after which they should be
moved back to the main tank. The fry
hatch within two days and can be reared initially
on fry foods, and then on live foods, such as brine
shrimp. Algae will later be beneficial to improve
their coloration. Regular partial water changes are
vital to maintain the water quality. Overcrowding
the young fish may stunt their growth and will
increase the risk of environmental diseases.

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