Spotted barb

Care at a glance

Overview

Keep spotted barbs in a group of at least six in a tank of 150 litres or more, since they are active and commonly reach 12 to 15 cm. Water at 22 to 26 C with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0 and clean, moving conditions suits them. Feed flakes, pellets, vegetables, and frozen foods, as they are hearty omnivores. They are peaceful toward fish too large to eat but will bully small or slow tankmates, so choose robust company.

In the wild

The spotted barb is a widespread, adaptable fish found in streams, rivers, canals, and ponds across much of Southeast Asia. It forages actively over the bottom and in midwater in a range of conditions. Adults carry scattered dark spots and a blotch at the tail base on a stout silver body. It is a hardy, boisterous barb that grows larger than most community barbs.

Good to know

Formerly Puntius binotatus or Systomus binotatus, the species now sits in the genus Barbodes among the larger Southeast Asian barbs. It is so widespread and variable that it is treated as a species complex, with local forms differing in size and pattern. Wild fish can reach nearly 20 cm, though tank fish usually stay smaller.

Common questions

Related species

• 

  Spanner barb

  Barbodes lateristriga

  5.9 in (15 cm) · 74 gal (280 L)

  5.9 in (15 cm)74 gal (280 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)

• 

  Clown barb

  Barbodes dunckeri

  5.1 in (13 cm) · 53 gal (200 L)

  5.1 in (13 cm)53 gal (200 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)

• 

  Gold barb

  Barbodes semifasciolatus

  2.8 in (7 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)

  2.8 in (7 cm)20 gal (75 L)64–75°F (18–24°C)

• 

  Everett's barb

  Barbodes everetti

  4.7 in (12 cm) · 40 gal (150 L)

  4.7 in (12 cm)40 gal (150 L)64–82°F (18–28°C)

• 

  Bunau barb

  Barbodes bunau

  3.5 in (9 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)

  3.5 in (9 cm)29 gal (110 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)

• 

  Beijiang barb

  Acrossocheilus beijiangensis

  5.1 in (13 cm) · 53 gal (200 L)

  5.1 in (13 cm)53 gal (200 L)64–79°F (18–26°C)