May 01
Information will be coming soon
May 01
Family: Cyprinidae
Distribution: Puntius everetti, commonly known as Clown Barb, is an Asian freshwater species found in Borneo and Sumatra. It is distributed through clear, slow-moving waters, in forest streams, in quiet shore areas and mostly in shallow waters.
PH: 6.0 – 6.5
Temperature: 24°C – 30C (75 – 86F)
Hardness: 7 – 17 dH
Description: Puntius everetti can reach a maximum length of 15 cm. This handsome species has a red-gold sheen, red fins and spotted bands, giving it its “clownish” appearance. It may have some red in its irises. Males are slimmer and more brightly coloured; females will get a plumper belly when spawning. The Clown Barb can live from 5 – 8 years.
Diet: Puntius everetti is an omnivorous species – and not a fussy eater. In an aquarium environment, you should feed this species a quality flake and the occasional helping of brine shrimp or bloodworms.
Breeding: Puntius everetti should be conditioned on live foods for a month before you attempt to spawn. This species is an egg scatterer and does not display parental care; remove the adults immediately once the eggs appear. Provide a spawning mop or Java moss to a water level of 4 – 6 inches. The fry will hatch in 20 – 30 days and can be fed Infusoria or crushed flake when they are swimming freely.
Comments: You should tank this species in a tank with a capacity of at least 30 gallons. Add plenty of rocks, wood and roots to create hiding spaces, along with plenty of open swimming areas. This fish can nibble on plants so make sure the ones you do have are relatively hardy. Puntius everetti is an excellent community fish and comes highly recommended to beginners.
Article/Books:
Recommended Compatible Species: The Clown Barb is a lively schooling fish that should be kept in groups of at least 8 – 10. You could house this species with Danios, Barbs, Doradids, Loricariids, Corydoras, Loaches, and other similarly-sized species.
May 01
Family: Cyprinidae
Distribution: Puntius filamentosus, better known as Blackspot Barb, is a south Asian freshwater species endemic to India, where it is distributed in lowland rivers, estuaries, reservoirs, clear streams, ponds and lakes.
PH: 6.0 – 6.5
Temperature: 20°C – 24C (68 – 75F)
Hardness: 5 – 10 dH
Description: While Puntius filamentosus can reach a maximum length of 18 cm, its common length is around 11 cm. This species has a typical barb shape, large green-blue – often silver – scales, and a large spot on its flanks near the tail. The tail is a distinctive scissor-shape with black and red tips. Blackspot Barbs are tough to sex when young, but adult males are more colourful than females and have a less rounded belly and extended filaments to their dorsal fin rays.
Diet: Puntius filamentosus, an omnivore, will eat most foods. In an aquarium environment, you should feed this species regular meals of live and frozen foods – bloodworm, Daphnia and Artemia – along with quality flakes and granules. Quality live foods will bring out a bright, dazzling colouration.
Breeding: This species will require a dimly-lit tank and fine-leaved plants or a spawning mop, along with a slow-moving current. Puntius filamentosus will spawn at daybreak and will eat the eggs if given the chance; you should remove the parents as soon as you see eggs in your tank. The fry will hatch in 24 – 48 hours and can be fed on Infusoria before moving on to freshly hatched brine shrimp.
Comments: You should tank this species in a tank with a capacity of at least 108 litres, even larger if possible. The Blackspot Barb will need good lighting and a dark substrate in order to show its best colours, and must be kept in well-oxygenated waters. Decorate your tank with smooth rocks, live plants and twisted roots. This active species is suitable for beginners.
Article/Books:
Recommended Compatible Species: The Twospot Barb is a lively, energetic schooling fish that should be kept in groups of at least 8 – 10. You could house it with slightly bigger Southeast Asian fish, including some Puntius species, larger Rasboras, Botiine loaches and danios.
May 01
Family: Cyprinidae
Distribution: Puntius lateristriga, better known as Spanner Barb, is an Asian freshwater species distributed in Southeast Asia, particularly in quick moving streams and rivers.
PH: 6.0 – 6.5
Temperature: 23°C – 29C (72 – 84F)
Hardness: 8 – 10 dH
Description: Puntius lateristriga can reach a length of around 15 – 18 cm. Adult females have thicker bodies and are larger than males, and have less distinctive markings; males have a steep head in profile. The Spanner Barb has a silver-grey body and two vertical black bars on the front of its body. It also has a thin horizontal line that runs from the last bar to the caudal peduncle, resembling a T-shape. This species is sometimes called the T-Barb for that reason.
Diet: Puntius lateristriga will eat most foods, but has a preference for live food. It will accept quality flakes and granules, but it should be given veggie matter and algae wafers as a supplement.
Breeding: This egg-scattering species can be spawned in a group or in pairs; condition the adults with live foods and move the pair to a separate breeding tank if choosing to spawn in pairs. It might be a good idea to cover the base of the tank with mesh; the eggs will fall through the mesh and therefore cannibalisation can be avoided. The fry will probably hatch in 24 – 48 hours and the fry, which will be free swimming 24 hours later, can be fed on Infusoria before moving on to microworm or nauplii.
Comments: You should tank this species in at least a 255 litre tank. Puntius lateristriga will need a well-oxygenated tank and a power filter to replicate its natural environment: fast-flowing rivers. Include a gravel or sand substrate along with plenty of hiding/spawning spots: rocks, in particular.
Article/Books:
Recommended Compatible Species: The Spanner Barb is lively and may intimidate shy species. You could house it with rheophilic Asian fishes, including larger Danio, Davario, Garra, Barillus and Balitorine loaches.
May 01
Information will be coming soon
May 01
Family: Cyprinidae
Distribution: Puntius oligolepis, known commonly as Checkered Barb, is an Asian freshwater species endemic to Sumatra, Indonesia. It appears in sluggish creeks, slow rivers and pools and lakes; it is apparently more plentiful at higher altitudes.
PH: 6.0 – 6.5
Temperature: 20°C – 24C (68 – 75F)
Hardness: 2 – 10 dH
Description: Puntius oligolepis can reach a length of around 5 cm. It has a black and white checkered pattern, giving it its common name. Females have thicker bodies and are less colourful than males; males have red-hued, black-outlined unpaired fins. The average life expectancy of the Ruby Barb is 2 – 4 years.
Diet: Puntius oligolepis, an omnivorous species, will accept all flakes and pellets. It will also enjoy special live-food treats – brine shrimp is well received – and an occasional helping of spirulina.
Breeding: The Checkered Barb is an egg-scattering species and a spawning mop should be included in the tank to catch the eggs. It can be spawned in pairs or in a group; a group of six can be a good number for spawning. Feed Puntius oligolepis plenty of live foods before you attempt the spawning process. The water should be soft and acidic; a sponge filter will provide a nice gentle bubbling that will simulate its natural environment. The fry will hatch in 24 – 48 hours and will become free swimming within a few days. You should keep the eggs and fry in a dimly lit environment in the early stages of life.
Comments: You should have a small group of Puntius oligolepis in a 27 litre tank. It will need a dark substrate, subdued lighting, and surface vegetation to simulate its natural environment. This diminutive species is suitable for hobbyists of all levels of experience.
Article/Books:
Recommended Compatible Species: The Checkered Barb is a lively, schooling species that should be kept in groups of about 8 – 10. You can house it with peaceful bottom-dwellers – Corydoras and small Loricariids are excellent options – as well as livebearers, danios, rasboras and peaceful tetras.
May 01
Family: Cyprinidae
Distribution: Puntius vittatus, commonly known as Greenstripe Barb, is an Asian freshwater and brackish species found in India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan; it is distributed in ponds, lakes, streams and often in rice fields.
PH: 6.0 – 6.5
Temperature: 20°C – 24C (68 – 75F)
Hardness: 8 – 15 dH
Description: Puntius vittatus can reach a maximum length of around 5 cm. This silver-coloured species generally has four black spots; the dorsal has a black streak and black tip with orange elements. This small-mouthed fish has no barbels but does have moderately large scales.
Diet: This species eats filamentous algae and blue-green algae in the wild. It will probably accept most foods in an aquarium environment.
Breeding: There is not a great deal of breeding information on Puntius vittatus. Like most members of its genus, it will appreciate a dimly-lit tank and spawning mops so the females can deposit their eggs effectively. It is probably a good idea to remove the adults as soon as you see the eggs in your tank.
Comments: You could probably house a small group of Kooli Barb in a 20 – 30 gallon tank. This species is found in both brackish and freshwater environments and strict attention should be paid to water conditions. There is not a lot of information available on Puntius vittatus and it is probably more suited to hobbyists with some experience under their belt.
Article/Books
Recommended Compatible Species: There is not a lot of information on the Kooli Barb, but you should house it with peaceful, similarly-sized species.
May 01
Family: Cyprinidae
Distribution: Puntius arulius, commonly known as Arulius Barb, is an Asian species found in India’s Cauvery basin, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Tambraparani river system; it is distributed in large streams, lakes and rivers.
PH: 6.0 – 6.5
Temperature: 19°C – 25C (66 – 77F)
Hardness: 5 – 10 dH
Description: Puntius arulius can reach a maximum length of 12 cm. This species has a slender, elongated, torpedo-like shape. Its colouration is a dark olive-brown, with lighter areas on the sides and a white ventral surface. Males have silver bodies with some green areas, and three large black spots from the dorsal surface to the lower part of their lateral line region; females are mostly a rose-pink colour with some green-gold shimmers. Both males and females have red edges to their caudal and anal fins and a dark dorsal; the fins are translucent and thin. Puntius arulius can live from 5 – 10 years.
Diet: Arulius Barb is most suited to quality flake and pellet foods. You should offer it a supplement of bloodworms and brine shrimp to maintain its health.
Breeding: Puntius arulius, an egg-laying species, is quite easy to breed. It can be spawned in pairs or in a group situation. Make sure you condition to adults with plenty of live foods to maximise spawning capabilities. Females will lay their sticky eggs on a rock – or a plant – and the male will fertilise the eggs. Adults will eat the eggs if given the chance, so remove them as soon as you see the eggs in your tank. The eggs will hatch in 24 – 48 hours; the fry will be free swimming 24 hours later. You can feed the fry on Infusoria for the first few days, before starting them on microworm or nauplii.
Comments: You should tank this species in a 55 gallon tank. Add plenty of vegetation to your tank, along with plenty of swimming space, and be careful with the water parameters; this species thrives in a well-oxygenated tank and will not appreciate too many temperature adjustments. Provide rocks and broad-leaved plants for spawning sites. Puntius arulius requires care and is suitable for hobbyists with some level of experience.
Article/Books:
Recommended Compatible Species: Puntius arulius can live happily with most Tetra species (particularly the Neon Tetra and Black Tetra). They are also great tank mates with Discus, Apistogramma‘s like Apistogramma Cacatouides and Apistogramma Borelli, CorydorasCatfish (particularly Corydoras Sterbai and Corydoras aeneus) Angelfish, Clown loach, the common Guppy and Platyand most Gourami(such as the Blue Gourami and Dwarf Gourami like the Honey Gourami) Also can live happily with most Danio(particularly the Zebra Danioand Pearl Danio) and also many Killifish make great tank mates.
May 01
Family: Cyprinidae
Distribution: Puntius asoka, commonly known as Asoka Barb, is an Sri Lankan freshwater species found in the Sitawaka River and its tributaries, and in Kelani. It is distributed in deepish, fast-flowing water, usually in areas with gravel-sand substrates.
PH: 6.5 – 7.5
Temperature: 25°C – 30C (77 – 86F)
Hardness: 1 – 18 dH
Description: Puntius asoka can reach a maximum length of 17 cm; its common length is around the 10 cm mark. This species is becoming very rare due to over-fishing; it is very restricted in its distribution. As a result it is not very common in the aquarium hobby.
Diet: Puntius species are omnivorous and feed upon small invertebrates and plant matter in the wild. Puntius asoka could be fed a staple of dried foods and flake, with the occasional live-food source thrown in.
Breeding: There is not a great deal of information on the breeding habits of Asoka Barbs. All Puntius species are egg scatterers and do not display any parental care; if you notice eggs scattered inside your tank you should remove the adults immediately to give the young a chance of survival.
Comments: You should tank this species in a medium-sized tank of around 55 gallons. Add plenty of vegetation to your tank, along with plenty of swimming space, and be strict with your water parameters. Provide rocks and broad-leaved plants for spawning sites if you are considering breeding this species. Puntius asoka is rarely seen within the hobby and is suitable for those hobbyists with some experience.
Article/Books:
Recommended Compatible Species: There is not much information in terms of compatible species, but you should house Puntius asoka with fish of a similar-size and peaceful demeanour. It would also suit a one-species tank.
May 01
Information will be coming soon
