A community of barbs

Tinfoil, golden, tiger, cherry... the list is endless. Barbs are the most widely available fish in pet stores today due to the many subspecies. I have enjoyed my golden barbs very much! They are great beginner fish and they are fairly cheap, too.  Remember that there are MANY more species of barbs but I have tried to cover as many as I could. If you would like more info on barbs, or have more info E-mail me . Pictures and info are always appreciated!

~A word of caution, if you have not had barbs before, is that all of the barb species tend to be more aggressive of their own kind and like to nip and chase other fish especially long finned ones (like goldfish and bettas).~

Tiger Barbs

Latin Name: Capoeta Tetrazona

Native Region: Indonesia

Temperment: Peaceful, but, like I mentioned, they'll nip other larger fish like guppies. They're good community fish.

Diet: Vegetable flakes because vegetable matter is one of their main foods in the wild. Live foods, thawed adult brine shrimp, and staple foods are also a part of diet.

Temperature range: 68-74° F

pH: 6.5-7.8

Adult size: 2 3/4"

Rosy Barbs

From www.fishpondinfo.com taken by Robyn Rhudy

Latin Name: Barbus Conchonius

Native region: Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, and Bangladesh.

Temperment: Community and peaceful fish. Prefers smaller schools.

Diet: Vegetable matter is a big part of their diet in the wild. They prefer staple foods, vegetable flakes, thawed adult brine shrimp, and live foods. 

Temperature range: 66-72°F

pH: 6.3-7.3

Adult size: 3.5"

Note: These fish prefer smaller groups.

Cherry Barbs

Latin Name: Barbus Titteya

Native Region: Sri Lanka

Temperament: Community. They are easy to care for, but competitive among their own kind.

Diet: Staple foods, vegetable flakes, live foods, and thawed adult brine shrimp.

Temperature range: 74-78°F

pH: 6.5-7.4

Adult size: 2"

~Note: This species enjoys well planted aquariums~

Golden Barbs

Latin Name: Barbus schuberti

Native Region: Southeast Asia

Temperament: Relatively non-agressive. Community fish. Does best in small schools.

Diet: Commercial fish foods, vegetable flakes, live food, thawed adult brine shrimp. They may enjoy nibbling on live plants.

Temperature: 68-72°F (Has been reported that they may do well up to 79°F)

pH: 6-7 (Some say they should not be kept below a pH of 6 1/2)

Adult Size: 1.5-3"

~Note: The average school size should be about six to eight individuals for the average size tank. (10-50 gallons).~

Tinfoil and Red Tail Tinfoil Barbs

Latin Name: Barbus Schwanefeldi

Native Region: Borneo and Thailand. It is illegal to import them to Australia.

Temperament: Agressive, should not be kept with smaller fish. They are known to nip at the fins of less active fish such as Angelfish.

Diet: Large amount of flake, small fish, shrimp, vegetables, and soggy dog biscuits.

Temperature: 72-80°F

pH: 6.5-7.5

Adult Size: Red Tails grow up to twelve inches. Tinfoil's up to fourteen inches. This is the largest species of barbs.

~Note: These fish need big tanks, with enough rocks and plants.~

~Additional Note: There is no way to tell the difference between a male and femal Red Tail. The Red Tail has never been bred in aquariums.~

*Warning: These fish are NOT for the beginner.*

The Ruby and Black Ruby Barb

      -A Ruby Barb-    

Latin Name: Barbus Nigrofasciatus

Native Region:

Temperament: Non-agressive, but very playful and active. Their favorite pastime is to nip at other fish. If kept in active tanks of five or more though, the nipping shouldn't be a problem.

Diet: Flake foods, but prefer freeze-dried foods. They should be given live food from time to time, including, bloodworms, glassworms, plankton, and brine shrimp.

Temperature: 75-82°F

pH of: 6-7 -

Adult Size: 2 to 3"

~Note: These fish should be kept in brightly lit tanks, with lots of plants and a moderate amount of rocks~

-Comment: These fish are excellent for the beginning aquarist, and are hardy and easy to care for fish.-

.::Fun Fact::.: These fish change color depending on their mood! Most of the time, the fish is a yellowish gray-color, with gray to black stripes. Around breeding time or when the fish are excited, the fish turns into a purple-red color.

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