2. All about Barbs

Photo 2.1 : Tiger Barbs...A good fish for newbies, that will turn you looking like a fish expert

Barbs is another species that is great for beginners since they only need basic maintenance, ease of cares, usually very peaceful but some of them are professionals and well established fin-nippers. Most of them are very attractive, have a pleasant appearance (when in schools with 5 or more of the same type), have quite a lot of stamina, tough scales that may hard to rot or infected or even shade and some of them have the scales that may glitter when exposed to light.

When I first started my hobby at the age of 9, the Tiger Barb is one of my personal favorite choice for a ‘starter kit’. This fish is extremely active and can definitely add zest and life to the aquarium. Seeing them will captivated someone for hours ("except when they have diarrhea"- Elham).

In this session, I will tell you some info about types of barb that is the most popular among the fish lovers.

The first one goes to my personal favorite, the Tiger Barb. Tiger Barb can be divided into 3 other type and they are of course, the Tiger Barb itself, the Green Tiger Barb and the Albino Tiger Barb. But don’t let the name fool you, the terms ‘tiger’ only represent their body coloration but they are not that aggressive ("so don’t even think to feed them with live pigs!!!"- Elham).


Photo 2.2 : This guy is so sensitive when hear the word 'live pigs'...gulp!!!

However, when in schools with 5 fish or more, they will get a little arrogant and aggressive. You will see them play polis sentri (police and thieves) or maybe hide and seek together depends on your aquariums facility or decorations. You will also see some death defying moves and fast pace swimming action all over the aquarium. Yes, these fish have a lot of stamina. However, these fish is a fin-nippers. Their habit to bit other fish fins must be kept in mind so don’t ever mix them with fish that have large fins such as guppies and slow movers such as Angelfish or Goldfish. Although it seems like the fish is doing some pranks by biting the fins of the other fish, it is actually very deadly pranks!!! Injured fins may lead to virus infection and may rot them. Bit fins also make the fish to have difficulties on balancing and swimming, and if the fins bitten too much, the fish can’t swim properly thus unable them to get their food and died. They may also unable to run from the water filter suction area thus will be stuck on it and…also died. (“Hmmm…seems like the terms ‘tiger’ actually does fits for these fish”- Elham).

Photo 2.3 : Tiger Barb (top) and Green Tiger Barb (bottom)

These Tiger Barbs originated from Indonesia, Sumatra and Malaysia. In Malaysia, these fish are called ikan pelampung (buoy fish). These fish can fit from small to large tanks, with the water temperature between 20°C to 26°C. These fish enjoys plenty of space and decorations such as driftwoods, moderate rocks or caves and tall bushy plants. Adult Tiger Barbs will grow to a size of 7.5 cm long! The male and female shares same patterns for each type but you can differentiate them by looking at their nose and fin areas. Male have redder coloration while the female have the same old orange tint. The female is slightly or a little fatter than the male.

The Tiger Barb loves to consume live foods such as blood worms and tubifex worms, brine shrimp, plankton and daphnia. These omnivorous fish will also consumes fresh spinach, peas and lettuce. Another types of barbs that have become fish lovers must-have-fish includes Golden Barb, Black Ruby Barb and Rosy Barb. These fish considered small within their species. Large barbs includes Tinfoil Barb, Torpedo Barb, Clown Barb and Checker Barb.

Photo 2.4 : Golden Barbs

Golden Barb hometown is within Southeast Asia. The Golden Barb do well in schools with 6 to 8 individuals inside an average size tank. Mature Golden Barbs may grow between 4 to 7 cm long. Adult Golden Barb have a gold color throughout, hence their common name, and are marked with silver highlights, making them an attractive fish. In addition they have black markings throughout, with a more distinct black spot on the base of the tail. Generally, the Golden Barb is smaller than some other popular barbs, and its smaller size may be a way to distinguish it from some similarly colored barbs. Males and females can be distinguished by the appearance of their vertical stripe. The female's copper colored stripe is less pronounced than the male's stripe. The fish must live inside 20°C to 26°C water with pH ranging from 6.5 to 7. Temperature and water hardness must be well taken care because it will influence the fish to breed.

Photo 2.5 : Aroused male Black Ruby Barb (left) and a female Black Ruby Barb (perhaps the female is not ready for a commitment yet)

Black Ruby Barb shares similar personality with the Tiger Barbs. It came form Sri Lanka and some says it was originated from Thailand. This fish should live inside a tank with some open swimming space and of course, some plants to create some environment. This fish do well in schools with 5 or more individuals. The water should be 20°C to 26°C in temperature with slightly acidic ranging from pH 6.5 to 7. The above photo shows a breeding male with intense red and black coloration. Male Black Ruby Barb is slightly larger than the female but the female have thicker bodies especially on the abdomen. Juvenile Black Ruby Barb is actually have a similar color and striped pattern as the Tiger Barb. This fish may grow to 6cm long and consumes live bloodworms, tubifex worms and also vegetable components in its diet.

Photo 2.6 : Schools of Rosy Barb swimming inside a large, really large tank

Photo 2.7 : Close up view of a Rosy Barb...Nice scales!!!

The Rosy Barb, just like the Black Ruby Barb tend to change color depending on its state. Their scales are quite large and glittery when expose in light makes them so stunning to be add to any aquarium. Rosy Barb, just like the other Barbs is also a hardy fish and makes a great choice for the beginners. This fish is not too naughty compares to their siblings, the Tiger Barbs. They enjoys little fin nipping activities during pastime but it can be controlled if the fish is kept in schools where they will enjoy playing together rather then bullying other slow movers-nerd fish. Water conditions that is the most suitable will be the same as the other Barbs. For breeding, several males can be mix with one female. Rosy Barbs is an omnivorous fish and the diet is also the same as the Tiger Barb.

Photo 2.8 : Clown Barb

Clown Barb is an attractive and active fish. When juvenile, this fish can be consider as a peaceful fish. But when they reach their full size, they should only be kept with similar size fish since this fish is also a serial fin-nippers, fin-nippers most wanted, top 10 fin-nippers, blah blah blah etc. Clown Barb prefers to live inside a tank with plenty of swimming space with rocks and plants decorations. How do I know that?? Well just bear in mind that most super-duper active fish must have plenty of swimming space or else, they will get stressed!!! How do the fish look like when they stress?? They will turn green and then die, then their soul will take the revenge on you!!! (“NOT!!!”- Elham). Let’s discuss that topic later okay??

The Clown Barb is one of the large Barbs. It will only reach a size of 4 to 5 inches at maturity. Clown Barbs are pinkish with large black irregular spotting patterns. They have wedge shaped bodies. Females are fatter than the males, while the males are brighter than the females. Clown Barbs are from Southeast Asian countries like Singapore, Borneo and Thailand. Just like their relatives, this fish is omnivorous and do not require special attention.

Photo 2.9 : Red Tail Tinfoil Barb

Recognized the fish above? Well, that is the Red Tail Tinfoil Barb. In Malaysia we call it lampam. There are 2 types of lampam, and they are lampam sungai (that guy above) and lampam jawa (Wild Tinfoil Barb). The Tinfoil Barb have been know to be bred for commercial purpose few years back in Malaysia and Indonesia (their hometown). Their meat is soft and if its fed well, their meat will have some sweet taste. This Barb is aggressive and should not be kept with smaller fish since they have been known to eat other smaller fish and nip on the fins of docile fish. The Tinfoil Barb requires a large tank so it is not suitable for beginners. This fish may grow to 35 cm and the different between male and female is hard to be distinguish. They also hard to be bred. They prefer to live inside a large tanks with medium amount of rocks and plants. This fish is illegal to be imported to Australia, why?? (“I have no idea!!!”- Elham). This fish is very attractive and so stunning because their scales is so shiny and well arrange onto their body. Their personality also shares with the guy below, the Checker Barb.

Photo 2.10 : Checker Barb

Another type of Barbs variation is the Red Line Torpedo Barb (“what a name!!! who give that name??”- Elham). Originated from India, this type is actually considered endangered in the wild. It may grow to 15 cm long, and need large tank with plenty of swimming space, well oxygenated water and robust plants because this fish will also takes on the decorations plants you put in. Is it looks like a torpedo?? Just look at the photo below.

Photo 2.11 : Red Line Torpedo Barb...A beauty with a deadly name


At the end..What conclusions can we make for Barbs?? First, you must know their personality and their size. They are all active and some of them may grow to quite a large size. So, choose the tank according to the type of Barbs you want to put into. All of them need plenty of swimming space, moderate rocks and plants decorations. Should live within 20°C to 26°C of water temperature with slight acid presence ranging from pH 6.5 to 7.5. This fish is omnivorous and BORN TO NIP FIN!!! Remember that. They also need to be kept in schools with a mixture of male and female. And the most important thing is, you will not need a specialist to keep this fish. This fish is just great for beginners.


Wanna see more barbs?? Here you go..

Photo 2.12 : Arulius Barb



Photo 2.13 : Cherry Barb

Photo 2.14 : Cumming Barb

Photo 2.15 : Dorsalis Barb

Photo 2.16 : Filament Barb

Photo 2.17 : Golden Barb

Photo 2.18 : Dwarf Golden Barb

Photo 2.19 : Lemon Fin Barb

Photo 2.20 : Albino Tiger Barb

Photo 2.21 : Tinfoil Barb

Photo 2.22 : Banded Barb

Barbs do have a lot of variations don't they?? You are free to choose, all of them shares the same behavior and all of them have their own beauty. Totally great fish for beginners. Any comments or experience to share?? You're warmly welcomed. Well...that's all for now. Till we meet again...Please take a good care of your fish.

Thanks and bye for now...