▷ Island barb in the aquarium | All information and details

Data sheet island barb

German name:
island barb

Scientific name:
Barbus oligolepis

Origin:
Indonesia, Sumatra

Size:
up to 5 cm

Aquarium

Length:
Minimum – length: 80cm / width 40cm

Contents:
From 80 liters

water values

Temperature:
22°- 26° C

GH:
6 – 20 °dGH

pH:
6-7.2

CH:
4

Behave

Area:
mainly lower range

Lining:
Plant and live food, flake and frozen food

Behave:
mostly peaceful

Number:
Schooling fish, groups of 8 – 10 or more

Difficulty level:
Beginner fish, easy to breed Dodoni, Puntius oligolepis, CC BY-SA 3.0

The island barb, also known as the pearl barb, is a small fish in the seaweed family carp fish. Their original home is the vegetative, standing and flowing waters of Sumatra. In this country it is one of the most commonly kept aquarium fish.

Barbus oligolepis is an agile and sociable school fish. A suitable group consists of 8 to 10 members. Although the fish as peaceful applies, it can come to disputes between the males. The reasons are rivalries for coveted females and fights for territory. So that the barbel has enough space to swim, that holds Aquarium at least 80 liters and the planting is designed accordingly.

The small carp prefers to stay in the lower pelvic areas on. The right substrate is dark and soft. The water conditions remain constant and are achieved by regularly changing the water in smaller amounts.

Typical identification features:

• The body coloring is decorative.
• The mother-of-pearl sheen of the scales is striking.
• The individual scales are highlighted by a dark outline.
• There is a pair of barbels at the corners of the mouth and at the snout.
• The males are more intensely colored than the females and have dark fin edges.

There is also an albino form of island barbel.

food

are island barbs omnivore and prefer varied food or commercially available ornamental fish food. The healthy menu consists of plant and animal food consisting of small amounts of live food and defrosted frozen food. Insect larvae and small crustaceans are preferred. The fish graze fine algae off without eating the leaves. The color intensity is intensified by the algae food.

The young animals can initially be fed with rearing food and later with brine shrimp or other fine live food. A few days after free swimming, the offspring become stable and there are no losses. The food supply can be expanded.

gender differences

The males of the island barb can be clearly distinguished from the females by their external appearance. The body of the female is fuller than that of the male. The coloring of the male is reddish. The unpaired fins are strong and lined with dark.

This different coloring of the sexes is particularly evident during the mating and spawning season. The red tones in the males are even stronger.

breeding and rearing

Rearing Barbus oligolepis in the aquarium is not very difficult and can also be done by beginners. The requirements are one separate spawning and rearing tank with a capacity of about 6 liters with optimal water values. The suitable water is clear, soft and measures a temperature of 25-27°C. The temperature must not fall below 23°C.

For breeding, a pair of parents who are already harmonizing in the holding tank and well fed are placed in the tank. As it is free spawners acts, there are many in the basin delicate plants such as java moss, water leaves or horn clover to settle the eggs.

The male chooses the spawning ground and waits there for the female who is ready to spawn. Spawning itself is rapid but intermittent. The clutch consists of around 300 eggs. Alternatively, a special spawning grid can be used. A viewing pane can be used to avoid disturbances during breeding.

Tip: The island barb prefers one spawning time early in the morning at sunrise. For this reason, the breeding tank is best placed in the immediate vicinity of a window.

Because the way to the spawn robbers belongs, the parents are to be separated from the clutch after spawning. You can then return to the holding tank. The young fish hatch after about 1 day. Under optimal conditions, this is Life expectancy up to 8 years.

socialization

The schooling fish fits into each community aquarium. It socializes well with other small barbel and other peaceful ornamental fish.

Frequently asked questions about island barbel:

How old do island barbs get?

With good attitude, a life expectancy – age of up to 8 years is possible

Can you keep island barbel with shrimp?

No – it can only happen that the barbs follow the shrimp and end up on the menu.