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Bunau barb

Barbodes bunau

Also known as Bunau spotted barb, Black ink barb

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–81°F (22–27°C)
pH
5.5–7.0
Adult size
3.5 in (9 cm)
Minimum tank
29 gal (110 L)
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Common
Origin
Northern Borneo, Malaysia
Family
Cyprinidae

Overview

A peaceful barb without the fin-nipping habit the group is known for. Keep eight or more in a 110 liter tank with open swimming space, wood and some planting. It is a steady, constant swimmer rather than a darting one, and it mixes well with other Bornean species such as rasboras and hillstream loaches. Feed flake, granules and frozen foods; it is not a fussy eater.

In the wild

Barbodes bunau comes from northern Borneo in Malaysia, in forest streams running soft and slightly acidic over sand and leaf litter. Keep it at 22 to 27 degrees Celsius and pH 5.5 to 7.0, with gentle flow and subdued light.

Good to know

Barbodes bunau reaches about 9 centimeters. The genus Barbodes holds the Southeast Asian barbs separated out of the old catch-all Puntius, which is why many familiar species have changed names in recent years. It is an egg-scattering, non-guarding spawner.

Did you know

Borneo's spotted barbs sort by blotch arithmetic; bunau's dots are its postcode within the island's barb maze.

Tank mates

Bunau barb is a peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the middle. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a Bunau barb need?

A Bunau barb needs at least 29 gal (110 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH do Bunau barb need?

Bunau barb are comfortable at 72–81°F (22–27°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.0.

How big do Bunau barb get?

An adult Bunau barb reaches about 3.5 in (9 cm).

Do Bunau barb need a group?

Yes. Bunau barb are a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

Where to buy

Some links may not be the exact species or variety.

…or ask your local fish store.

Appears in

Freshwater fish · Barbs, danios & rasboras · Schooling fish · Community fish

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