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Sierra Leone yellow fin barb

Enteromius leonensis

Also known as Sierra Leone barb, Barbus leonensis

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–81°F
22–27°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
1.6 in
4 cm
Minimum tank
14 gal
54 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Easy
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Family
Cyprinidae
Origin
West Africa to the Nile basin

Overview

The Sierra Leone yellow fin barb is a hardy, peaceful dwarf barb for the middle water of a planted tank. It is easy to keep, and it suits a quiet West African community.

Did you know

The Sierra Leone yellow fin barb is one of the few small Enteromius barbs that occasionally turns up on import lists. West Africa's forests hold dozens of its relatives that almost never reach aquariums.

Caring for the Sierra Leone yellow fin barb

Keep Sierra Leone yellow fin barbs in a group of six or more, which keeps them active and out in the open. A tank of 14 gal (54 L) is plenty for a starter group. Give them a gently flowing tank with soft substrate, some wood and leaf litter for a tannin-tinted, natural feel. Plant the edges and leave a clear channel to swim through.

Keep the water at 72 to 81°F (22 to 27°C) with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. This barb is tolerant, but it appreciates clean, softly acidic water. Feed flake, micro pellets and small frozen or live foods such as daphnia and bloodworm. It is an undemanding, constant forager and takes them all without fuss.

The Sierra Leone yellow fin barb is peaceful, so keep its tank mates small and gentle. Its breeding in aquariums has not been documented.

Good to know

The Sierra Leone yellow fin barb, Enteromius leonensis, is a dwarf member of the carp family, Cyprinidae. Boulenger described it in 1915 and named it for Sierra Leone. Like the other small African barbs, it was moved from the old catch-all genus Barbus into Enteromius. It carries a line of dark marks along the flank.

In the wild

The Sierra Leone yellow fin barb ranges from Senegal and the Gambia through the Niger, Volta and Chad basins to the White Nile. That range spans West Africa and includes the Rokel, Jong and Moa of Sierra Leone.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Sierra Leone yellow fin barb is a peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a Sierra Leone yellow fin barb need?

A Sierra Leone yellow fin barb needs at least 14 gal (54 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a Sierra Leone yellow fin barb need?

A Sierra Leone yellow fin barb is comfortable at 72–81°F (22–27°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a Sierra Leone yellow fin barb eat?

A Sierra Leone yellow fin barb eats flake, micro pellets and small frozen or live foods such as daphnia and bloodworm. It is a constant forager and takes them all without fuss.

How big does a Sierra Leone yellow fin barb get?

An adult Sierra Leone yellow fin barb reaches about 1.6 in (4 cm).

Does a Sierra Leone yellow fin barb need a group?

Yes. A Sierra Leone yellow fin barb is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

Related species