Dwarf hi-fin barb

Oreichthys parvus

Also known as Dwarf neon hi-fin barb, Thai hi-fin headstander barb

FreshwaterFish

Dwarf hi-fin barb (Oreichthys parvus) — The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature: 72–79°F (22–26°C)
pH: 6.0–7.5
Adult size: 1.4 in (3.6 cm)
Minimum tank: 14 gal (54 L)
Temperament: Peaceful
Social behavior: Schooling
Swim level: Middle
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: Medium
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Southeastern Thailand and northern Malaya
Family: Cyprinidae

Overview

Keep this tiny barb as a group of eight or more with other nano-sized, gentle fish; males flag their sail-like dorsals at one another over favorite leaves and open spots. It swims in the middle water and can be shy at first, so give it planted cover and calm surroundings. Feed small foods: micro-pellet, fine flake and small frozen or live items such as baby brine shrimp and daphnia. A planted tank of around 54 liters with gentle filtration and soft light suits a group.

In the wild

The dwarf hi-fin barb comes from gentle streams and quiet waters of southeastern Thailand, the northern Malay Peninsula and the Mekong region. Recreate that with a densely planted nano tank, a dark substrate, driftwood and subdued lighting, with gentle flow. Keep it in the mid-tropical band, around 22 to 26 degrees Celsius, at pH 6.0 to 7.5, in clean, stable water.

Good to know

Oreichthys parvus is a barb of the family Cyprinidae maturing at only around 3 to 3.6 centimeters, its species name parvus meaning small. Despite the size, males carry the same tall, black and white-edged sail dorsal as their larger relatives. It often hangs at an angle with its nose tipped down, earning the trade name hi-fin headstander. It is a moderately demanding egg-scatterer to breed.

Did you know

For such a tiny fish it has an oversized attitude, holding a nose-down, head-standing tilt as it drifts and raising a full sail dorsal in the same silent duels its much larger cousins stage.