Purple-fin barb

Cyclocheilichthys janthochir

Also known as Janthochir barb, Red fin bala shark

FreshwaterFish

Purple-fin barb (Cyclocheilichthys janthochir) — The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature: 73–82°F (23–28°C)
pH: 4.5–6.5
Adult size: 7.1 in (18 cm)
Minimum tank: 53 gal (200 L)
Temperament: Peaceful
Social behavior: Schooling
Swim level: Middle
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: No record
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Blackwater rivers of western Borneo
Family: Cyprinidae

Overview

The purple-fin barb is a medium-sized, peaceful schooling fish, so keep a group of at least six with room to cruise; it swims in the middle water and grows too large and active for a small tank. It is community-safe with other sizeable soft-water fish such as chocolate gouramis and larger rasboras, but will overwhelm tiny tankmates. It is an omnivore that leans toward small live and frozen foods, insects, and sinking pellets. A long tank of around 200 liters with soft, acidic water holds a group and helps keep the violet in the fins strong.

In the wild

This barb lives in the blackwater streams and peat-swamp rivers of western Borneo, in very soft, strongly acidic, tannin-stained water that runs dark under the forest canopy. Recreate that with a dark substrate, driftwood, heavy leaf litter, and dim lighting. Keep it warm at 23 to 28 degrees Celsius, with a distinctly acidic pH from 4.5 to 6.5. Soft, mineral-poor water is important both for its health and for its color.

Good to know

Cyclocheilichthys janthochir is a member of the carp family, Cyprinidae, reaching around 18 centimeters, which makes it substantially larger than most aquarium barbs. Its species name means violet hand, a reference to the violet coloring of its pectoral fins. It feeds on aquatic insects in the wild. Its aquarium breeding is not documented.

Did you know

Violet is a rare color on a freshwater fish, and this Bornean barb carries it as standard: the name janthochir, meaning violet hand, was given for the orchid tint on its pectoral fins.