▷ Moss barbs in the aquarium | All information and details

© Christa Xenia Woldrich

Data sheet moss barbs

German name:
moss barb

Scientific name:
Barbus Tetrazona

Origin:
Southeast Asia, Singapore

Size:
Between 6cm and 7cm

Aquarium

Length:
Maximum length 80cm, width up to 40cm

water values

Temperature:
22°C to 26°C

GH:
2 – 20 °dGH

pH:
6.5 – 7.5

Behave

Area:
On free swimming areas and in small planting hideaways

Lining:
Dry food, frozen food or small living food

Behave:
Basically peaceful, but very hectic

Number:
Schooling fish in medium-sized schools (7-10 pieces)

Difficulty level:
beginner fish

The moss barb is a small ornamental fish native to Sumatra. The barbel gets its name from its deep green coloration, which gives it some protection from predators in its homeland. Because hidden in the bank plants, the moss barb is almost invisible.

What gender differences are there?

Males of the moss barb are relatively easy to spot. On the one hand, their green body coloring is much more intense than that of the females. In addition, their dorsal fins are colored bright red. The dorsal fins of female moss barbs are rather pale. On the other hand, female fish are significantly fuller and higher-backed.

Breeding of moss barbs

Breeding moss barbs is relatively unproblematic. In a breeding tank, the water temperature should be between 24°C and 26°C and the pH should be slightly acidic. 6 to 6.5 are completely sufficient here. It is also advisable to equip the breeding tank with a few fine-leaved plants. The females then lay their eggs in the planting.

Moss barbs are free spawners and tend to eat their own offspring. For this reason, the parents should be relocated from the breeding tank after spawning. The young fish hatch about two to three days later. In the early days they should be fed parameciums. Later the food can be switched to Artemia. When the young fish are fully grown, they can be relocated to their conspecifics without any problems.

Socialization of moss barbs

© Anne Ilka Rehnus

Even if moss barbs are basically peaceful, they can occasionally get hectic and dart through the fields. They also like to chase long-finned fish and then nibble on their fins. This can cause permanent damage to the other fish.

Therefore, calm, robust fish are recommended for socialization, which are not so easily disconcerted by the behavior of the moss barbs. A socialization with catfish such as the witch catfish or the pinnate catfish is an option. But the firetail or other barbel species also get along well with the moss barbel.

If the moss barbs show rough behavior despite this, it may make sense to reduce the swarm size. This makes the fish a little calmer and more peaceful.

Video: Moss barbel wrestling (2 males) / © Anne Ilka Rehnus

FAQs – Frequently asked questions about moss barbs: