TankBud

Spotted barb

Barbodes binotatus

Also known as Common barb, Puntius binotatus, Systomus binotatus

FreshwaterFish

Spotted barb (Barbodes binotatus)
Abu Hamas · CC BY-SA 4.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–79°F
22–26°C
pH
6.0–7.0
Adult size
5.9 in
15 cm
Minimum tank
63 gal
240 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Omnivore
Difficulty
Easy
Breeding
Medium
Rarity
Common
Family
Cyprinidae
Origin
Widespread across Southeast Asia, from Thailand and the Malay Peninsula through Indonesia and the Philippines.

Overview

The spotted barb is a hardy, boisterous barb that grows larger than most community barbs. It is easy to keep and swims in the middle water.

Did you know

The spotted barb is one of the most common wild fish across much of Southeast Asia. It turns up in ricefield ditches and drains, which is part of why it is so hardy in the tank.

Caring for the spotted barb

Keep spotted barbs in a group of at least six. They are active fish, so give them a tank of 63 gal (240 L) or more, with clean, moving water.

Keep the water at 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C) with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. Spotted barbs are hearty omnivores, so feed flakes, pellets, vegetables and frozen foods.

They are peaceful toward fish too large to eat, but they will bully small or slow tank mates. Choose robust company for them. Breeding them is moderately difficult.

Good to know

The spotted barb was formerly placed in Puntius or Systomus and 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. Adults carry scattered dark spots and a blotch at the tail base on a stout silver body. Wild fish can reach nearly 20 cm, though tank fish usually stay smaller.

In the wild

The spotted barb is a widespread, adaptable fish of streams, rivers, canals and ponds across much of Southeast Asia. Its range runs from Thailand and the Malay Peninsula through Indonesia and the Philippines. It forages actively over the bottom and in midwater in a range of conditions.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The spotted barb is a mostly 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 spotted barb need?

A spotted barb needs at least 63 gal (240 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a spotted barb need?

A spotted barb is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.0.

What does a spotted barb eat?

A spotted barb is a hearty omnivore. It eats flakes, pellets, vegetables and frozen foods.

How big does a spotted barb get?

An adult spotted barb reaches about 5.9 in (15 cm).

Does a spotted barb need a group?

Yes. A spotted barb is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

Related species