Details of all species referred to in these Fish Care Sheets can be found in the FBAS Booklet No 6 - National Show Fish Sizes. Click HERE for information.

                                       Small Asian Barbs            01/02/99
                                      (up to 75mm standard length)

Genera: Barbus, ie. Barbus cumingi, B.oligolepis, B.nigrofasciatus,
            B.tetrazona, etc.
See those fishes listed in the current Federation's Size Book under Class B.

Family: Cyprinidae.

Geographic origin: South-East Asia including the Indian Sub-Continent.

Common Name: Generally Barb. Most of the fishes in this group have
                      common names. e.g. Barbus oligolepis - Checkered Barb;
                      Barbus tetrazona - Tiger Barb; Barbus nigrofasciatus -
                      Ruby Barb.

Compatibility: Normally peaceful. Best kept in a small groups (6+).
                      Has had a reputation for fin nipping (through boredom?) when
                      kept as a solitary specimen or in very small numbers.
                      These are active and colorful fish well suited for a community
                      collection.

Minimum Aquarium Size: 600mm x 380mm x 300mm (24” x 15” x 12”).
                                    With lighting hood and cover glass fitted.
                                    As with the majority of fish, the bigger
                                    the aquarium the better

Temperature: 18^o/28^oC 65^oF/80^oF . Best around 24^oC/75^oF,
                      some fluctuation is normal in nature.

Habitat: Best kept in a well planted community aquarium with a coarse sand
              or gravel substrate, gentle water movement by internal or
              preferably an external filter is most beneficial.

Water: Tolerant of most types but soft, acidic water better when breeding.
             Keep the water clean and sweet smelling. Change about 25% once a
             week: do not simply keep topping up evaporation losses.
             See Aquarium Management Care Sheet No: 8 (Routine Maintenance).

Health: Isolate at once any fish that appears sick and treat it in a separate
           container. Do not dispose of dead fish by flushing them down the
           toilet. Incinerate or wrap in paper and put in the dustbin.

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© FBAS 1999. RDE/RCM                                     Fish Care Sheet 1 1/2

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