Siamese flying barb

Laubuka siamensis

Also known as Siamese laubuka, Siamese hatchet

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature: 72–81°F (22–27°C)
pH: 6.5–7.5
Adult size: 2.6 in (6.5 cm)
Minimum tank: 24 gal (90 L)
Temperament: Peaceful
Social behavior: Schooling
Swim level: Top
Difficulty: Easy
Breeding: No record
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Thailand
Family: Danionidae

Overview

The Siamese flying barb is a dedicated surface fish, so it works beautifully layered above mid-water rasboras and bottom-dwelling loaches to fill the whole tank. Keep a group of at least six, as it is a peaceful schooling species that feels exposed when kept alone. It feeds at the top, taking floating flake and small foods the instant they land, along with small insects and frozen bloodworm and daphnia. A tank of around 90 liters with plenty of open surface suits a group, and a tight-fitting lid is essential, because this fish jumps and will find any gap.

In the wild

It lives at the surface of streams, canals, and quiet pools across Thailand, often moving into flooded forest in the wet season, in warm, gently flowing water with plants near the top. Recreate that with open surface space, some floating or tall plants for cover, and calm flow. Keep the temperature between 22 and 27 C and the pH from 6.5 to 7.5, on the soft to neutral side.

Good to know

Laubuka siamensis, family Danionidae, reaches about 6.5 centimeters. Like other flying barbs it has a deep chest and greatly enlarged pectoral fins, the muscle and surface area behind its leaps after insects at the waterline. Its aquarium breeding is not documented, but the genus scatters eggs among surface vegetation.

Did you know

Flying barbs do not truly glide the way hatchetfish do; they launch clear of the water with a beat of their oversized pectoral fins, and keepers usually meet that talent the first time they leave the lid open.