Aquarium Fish Experts fish tanks

Family: Cyprinidae

Distribution: Puntius pentazona, commonly known as Fiveband Barb, is an Asian freshwater species found from the Malay Peninsula to Sumatra, Indonesia.  It has also been recorded in Cambodia, Vietnam and Singapore; it mostly inhabits peat swamps and black water streams.

PH: 5.0 – 6.0

Temperature: 26°C – 29C (79 – 84F)

Hardness: 5 – 12 dH

Description: Puntius pentazona can reach a length of around 9 cm. It is very similar in colouration to the Tiger Barb, five black vertical bands on an orange-gold body, but the black bars are thinner and the fish is not as high-bodied.  Males are slimmer and brighter than females.  This species is commonly confused for the Tiger Barb.  It may live anywhere between 5 – 8 years.

Diet: Puntius pentazona is a reasonably unfussy eater and, in the wild, preys on small invertebrates, zooplankton and crustaceans.  You can feed it a good dried product as a staple, along with live foods such as Daphnia or Artemia.

Breeding: Puntius pentazona is an egg-scattering species; you should add spawning mops or Java moss to keep the eggs safe.  Don’t leave the adults alone with the eggs as they will eat them if given the chance; remove them straight after spawning.  The fry will hatch in 24 – 30 hours and will become free swimming within 4 – 5 days.  Do not perform drastic water changes during this time.

Comments: You should have a small group of Puntius pentazona in a 27 litre tank.  A dark substrate and dim lighting will enable it to display its beautiful, natural colours.  You should put plenty of surface vegetation at the top of the tank, along with bogwood, twisted roots and peat fibre mixed into the substrate.  It is advised you provide plenty of open areas for swimming. Puntius pentazona is suitable for hobbyists of all levels of experience.

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Recommended Compatible Species: Puntius pentazona can be a nervous species and should be housed with slow-moving, non-aggressive species.  It should be kept in groups of at least five.  This species can be kept with other Barbs, Loaches and Rasboras of a peaceful temperament. 

Family: Characidae

Distribution: Boehlkea fredcochui, or Cochu’s Blue Tetra, is a species distributed throughout the rivers of South America, particularly Peru, Leticia, Rio Maranon. 

PH: 6.0 – 8.0

Temperature: 22°C – 26°C (72 – 79F)

Hardness: 5 – 12 dH

Description: Boehlkea fredcochui grow to around 4 cm in length and have a life expectancy of approximately three years.  This species has a beautiful, distinctive blue base colouration, with some silver elements.  Females are slightly fatter than males and have a less intense colouration. 

Diet: Cochu’s Blue Tetra is omnivorous and will accept most foods offered to it. However, it seems to enjoy vegetable-based flake foods.  You should mix things up by offering it frozen or live foods on occasions; bloodworm and brine shrimp will do nicely.

Breeding: It may be a good idea to lower the pH and water hardness slightly to induce breeding.  There is not a lot of information available on this species’ breeding habits, but it does appreciate broad leaf plants to lay its eggs under.  You should make sure you remove the eggs – or the parents – as soon as breeding has been completed.  If you don’t, the eggs will almost certainly be eaten.

Comments: This species doesn’t need a big aquarium – but you should house them in no less than a 30 gallon tank.  It has an active personality and will need the space so as to prevent a build-up of aggression.  Provide open swimming spaces in the middle-bottom area of your tank, and some plants or hiding spaces.  Driftwood, rocks or pot plants will provide shelter.  This species will require you to pay strict attention to water conditions if it is to display its brightest colouration.

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Recommended Compatible Species: Cochu’s Blue Tetra is an active shoaling fish that can nip the fins of other species if frustrated.  You should keep it in groups of six or more in a large tank, and avoid housing it with placid, long-finned species.

They will 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, Corydoras Catfish  (particularly Corydoras Sterbai and Corydoras aeneus) Angelfish, Clown loach, the common Guppy and Platy and most Gourami (such as the Blue Gouramiand Dwarf Gourami like the Honey Gourami) Also can live happily with most Danio (particularly the Zebra Danio and Pearl Danio)  and also many Killifish make great tank mates.

Family: Melanotaeniidae

Distribution: After being first collected in 1911, this species of Melanotaeniidae are still awaiting rediscovery.  Only two male specimens were originally found in the upper Sermowai River on the north coast of West Papua, about 75 kilometres west of Jayapura.

PH: Unknown – varies significantly according to seasons

Temperature: 18°C -28°C (64– 82F)

Hardness: Unknown – varies significantly according to seasons

Description: The Corona Rainbowfish can grow up to 12cm (4.7 inches).  The dorsal and anal fins are longer than that usually found in other members of the Melanotaeniidae family.  Its live colours remain unknown. Although, we can infer, from the preserved specimens displayed in Amsterdam, that there might have been dark purple stripes on the upper side of its body.

Diet: The Corona Rainbowfish is not known in the aquarium hobby.

Breeding: While the Corona Rainbowfish is believed to be unavailable in the aquarium hobby, it is assumed that its breeding habits are similar to that of other members in its family.

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This species has not been recorded as having existed in a captive environment.

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Recommended Compatible Species:

Rainbowfish are a great community species in terms of their temperament and apart from other Rainbowfish species they also live happily with most Tetra species (particularly the Neon Tetra and Black Tetra). They are also great tank mates with Discus, CorydorasCatfish  (particularly Corydoras Sterbaiand Corydoras aeneus) Angelfish, Clown loach, the common Guppyand Platy and 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. One thing you should take into consideration when housing rainbows with these recommended species is the water quality. Temperature and Hardness are similar but P.H. can be quite different, although it is not ideal, if you keep your water at a P.H. of 7 this should keep your community happy.

Rainbowfish are schooling fish and should be kept in groups consisting of at least six individuals, preferably no less than 10-15. Mix it up with enough females to give them a rest when the males are on the chase, but provide enough males to bring out their vibrant colours when they are in competition for female attention. Whilst this is beneficial to the health and wellbeing of the fish, a large school is rewarding for the aquarist because a school of iridescent Rainbowfish is more dramatic to the eye than a few shy fish peeking out from behind dense vegetation.

Information will be coming soon

Information will be coming soon

Information will be coming soon