Taiwan barb

Puntius snyderi

Also known as Barbodes snyderi, Snyder's barb

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature: 61–77°F (16–25°C)
pH: 6.5–7.5
Adult size: 3.1 in (8 cm)
Minimum tank: 24 gal (90 L)
Temperament: Peaceful
Social behavior: Schooling
Swim level: Middle
Difficulty: Easy
Breeding: No record
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Taiwan lowland streams
Family: Cyprinidae

Overview

The Taiwan barb is a hardy, peaceful coolwater shoaler, ideal for an unheated or barely heated tank, and it should be kept in a group of six or more to look and behave its best. It swims in the middle water and mixes well with other subtropical fish such as white cloud mountain minnows and paradise fish that share its taste for cooler water. It is an easy, willing eater, taking flake, pellets, and small frozen or live foods, and it grazes soft algae too. Give it open swimming space with some planting. An unheated tank of around 90 liters suits a group with room to spare.

In the wild

Puntius snyderi comes from the subtropical lowland streams, ponds, and ditches of Taiwan, water that swings from mild to cool through the year. An unheated tank in a normal room usually suits it, with a planted layout, some wood, and gentle flow. Keep it in the range of 16 to 25 degrees Celsius with pH 6.5 to 7.5. It is adaptable and undemanding as long as the water stays clean.

Good to know

Puntius snyderi is a small carp-family fish, Cyprinidae, reaching about 8 centimetres, gold-bodied with a pair of dark blotches on the flank. It is one of the few barbs native to Taiwan and is still often sold and listed under the genus name Barbodes. Aquarium breeding is not documented, though it is a subtropical, seasonal spawner like its relatives.

Did you know

The Taiwan barb shares the island's farm ponds and slow ditches with the paradise fish, and the two coolwater classics can share an unheated aquarium as easily as they share those waters at home.