TankBud

Striped flying barb

Esomus metallicus

Also known as Flying barb, Metallic flying barb

FreshwaterFish

Striped flying barb (Esomus metallicus)
Melanochromis · Public domain

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–79°F
22–26°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
3 in
7.5 cm
Minimum tank
24 gal
90 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Top
Difficulty
Easy
Breeding
Medium
Rarity
Common
Family
Cyprinidae
Origin
Widespread in slow and still waters, including rice paddies, across Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Myanmar.

Overview

The striped flying barb is a hardy, active surface fish for a covered tank. It is a good first fish.

Did you know

The striped flying barb carries a pair of very long maxillary barbels that can reach back to its pectoral fins. These barbels trail past the head and give the genus its odd look.

Caring for the striped flying barb

Keep striped flying barbs in a group of at least six in a long tank of 24 gal (90 L) or more. Use a very tight lid, because they are champion jumpers. An open-topped tank almost guarantees you will find one on the floor.

They sit at the surface in warm water of 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C) with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Feed floating flakes, small insects and frozen foods such as mosquito larvae and daphnia. They take all of it from the top.

Striped flying barbs are peaceful and mix well with calm midwater and bottom fish. Breeding them is moderately difficult.

Good to know

Esomus species are called flying barbs because their enlarged, wing-like pectoral fins let them leap and skim across the surface to escape danger. The striped flying barb has a thin dark stripe along a metallic body.

In the wild

The striped flying barb lives in shallow, slow and standing waters such as rice fields, ditches and floodplain pools. Its range covers Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Myanmar. It hangs just under the surface, watching for insects that fall onto the water. It does well in warm, low-oxygen backwaters that many other fish avoid.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The striped flying barb is a peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the top. 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 striped flying barb need?

A striped flying barb needs at least 24 gal (90 L). It spends most of its time in the top.

What temperature and pH does a striped flying barb need?

A striped flying barb is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a striped flying barb eat?

A striped flying barb eats floating flakes, small insects and frozen foods such as mosquito larvae and daphnia. It takes all of its food from the top.

How big does a striped flying barb get?

An adult striped flying barb reaches about 3 in (7.5 cm).

Does a striped flying barb need a group?

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

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