Sierra Leone barb

Enteromius leonensis

Also known as Barbus leonensis, Sierra Leone yellow fin barb

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature: 72–81°F (22–27°C)
pH: 6.0–7.5
Adult size: 2 in (5 cm)
Minimum tank: 14 gal (54 L)
Temperament: Peaceful
Social behavior: Schooling
Swim level: Middle
Difficulty: Easy
Breeding: No record
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Sierra Leone and Guinea
Family: Cyprinidae

Overview

The Sierra Leone barb is a small, hardy, peaceful shoaler best kept in a group of six or more, which keeps it active and out in the open. It occupies the middle water of a planted tank and is an easy, constant forager that suits a quiet West African community alongside other small, gentle fish. It is undemanding at the table, taking flake, micro pellets, and small frozen or live foods such as daphnia and bloodworm without fuss. Plant the edges and leave a clear channel to swim. A tank of around 54 liters is plenty for a starter group of this dwarf barb.

In the wild

Enteromius leonensis lives in the rivers and forest streams of Upper Guinea in West Africa, including the Rokel, Jong, and Moa of Sierra Leone and neighbouring waters. Give it a gently flowing planted tank with soft substrate, some wood, and leaf litter for a tannin-tinted, natural feel. Keep the water at 22 to 27 degrees Celsius and pH 6.0 to 7.5. It is tolerant, but appreciates clean, softly acidic water.

Good to know

Enteromius leonensis is a dwarf member of the carp family, Cyprinidae, staying around 5 centimetres. It was described by Boulenger in 1915 and named for Sierra Leone, and 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; aquarium breeding is not documented.

Did you know

West Africa's forests hold dozens of small Enteromius barbs that almost never reach aquariums; the Sierra Leone barb is one of the few in this quiet group that occasionally turns up on import lists.