Cameroon barb

Enteromius camptacanthus

Also known as Barbus camptacanthus, African redfinned barb, African red finned barb

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature: 72–81°F (22–27°C)
pH: 6.0–7.5
Adult size: 3.9 in (10 cm)
Minimum tank: 24 gal (90 L)
Temperament: Peaceful
Social behavior: Schooling
Swim level: Middle
Difficulty: Easy
Breeding: No record
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea
Family: Cyprinidae

Overview

Keep this hardy African barb as a group of six or more; it is peaceful, active and looks its best as a shoal, with males flushing a rusty red. It swims in the middle water and suits a lively community of other rainforest Africans such as Congo tetras and small synodontis catfish. It is easy to feed and takes flake, pellets and frozen or live foods without fuss. Provide at least 90 liters with open swimming space and some planted cover; a dark substrate deepens the males' color.

In the wild

The Cameroon barb lives in forest streams and small rivers of West and Central Africa, shaded, soft and gently flowing. Recreate that with subdued lighting, a planted and wood-scaped tank, a dark substrate and moderate flow. Keep it warm, around 22 to 27 degrees Celsius, at slightly acidic to neutral pH 6.0 to 7.5, with clean, stable water.

Good to know

Enteromius camptacanthus, the African redfin barb, is a cyprinid reaching roughly 10 to 15 centimeters, with red-flushed fins and a dark stripe that sharpens in breeding males. It is one of many small African barbs moved from the old genus Barbus into Enteromius. Its aquarium spawning is poorly documented, though relatives are egg-scatterers.

Did you know

The red in its fins works as a mood and condition signal, deepening in soft, tannin-stained water and in displaying males, so keepers can read a fish's comfort partly from how strongly its fins glow.