TankBud

Blackline poropuntius barb

Poropuntius melanogrammus

Also known as Black-lined mahseer barb, Black line barb

FreshwaterFish

Blackline poropuntius barb (Poropuntius melanogrammus)

Care at a glance

Temperature
64–77°F
18–25°C
pH
6.5–7.8
Adult size
7.9 in
20 cm
Minimum tank
66 gal
250 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Family
Cyprinidae
Origin
Upland rivers of northern Southeast Asia

Overview

The blackline poropuntius barb is an active, peaceful hill-stream barb for a large tank with cool, fast water. It is best for a keeper who has moved past beginner fish.

Did you know

The blackline poropuntius barb's species name, melanogrammus, means black line. It refers to the single dark band drawn from head to tail down its silvery body. That band is about the plainest possible field mark on an otherwise unremarkable hill-stream fish.

Caring for the blackline poropuntius barb

Give blackline poropuntius barbs at least 66 gal (250 L), with a long footprint to cruise. Use a substrate of sand, gravel and water-worn stone. Strong filtration and good surface movement matter more than decor.

Keep the water cooler than average, at 64 to 77°F (18 to 25°C) and a pH of 6.5 to 7.8. These barbs want brisk current and plenty of oxygen. Feed a varied diet of pellets, flake and frozen foods, with some vegetable matter.

Keep a group of five or more, since a shoal keeps them calm and shows off their bold side stripes. They are peaceful, so pair them with other sturdy fish that enjoy cool, moving water, such as garras, hillstream loaches and barils. Nothing is documented of their breeding in tanks.

Good to know

Poropuntius melanogrammus is a stream barb of the family Cyprinidae. Members of Poropuntius are sometimes called brook barbs. They are smaller relatives of the giant mahseers and share the same cool, oxygen-rich hill water.

In the wild

The blackline poropuntius barb lives in the upland rivers of northern Southeast Asia. These are cool, clear, fast-flowing streams and rivers on the mainland.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The blackline poropuntius barb is a peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a blackline poropuntius barb need?

A blackline poropuntius barb needs at least 66 gal (250 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a blackline poropuntius barb need?

A blackline poropuntius barb is comfortable at 64–77°F (18–25°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.8.

What does a blackline poropuntius barb eat?

A blackline poropuntius barb eats a varied diet of pellets, flake and frozen foods. Add some vegetable matter as well.

How big does a blackline poropuntius barb get?

An adult blackline poropuntius barb reaches about 7.9 in (20 cm).

Does a blackline poropuntius barb need a group?

Yes. A blackline poropuntius barb is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

Related species