Fiveband Barb Tropical Fish Information

Fiveband Barb Tropical Fish Learn all about the Fiveband Barb's feeding habits and food types, its behaviour, its origins, its natural habitats, is it male or female, breeding advice and information, suitable tank mates, its sizing and growth range, minimum tank size, water PH and more. Use our fish community creator tool to plan your tank set up and ensure that the Fiveband Barb is the right fish for your aquarium.

The fiveband barb is an interesting fish for small peaceful communities. Its scales often sport an iridescent sparkling, which adds to the fish's attractiveness.

The fish is very timid and easily frightened so must be kept in aquaria with plenty of hiding spots, preferably amongst vegetation. Keeping the fish in groups with other slow moving fish will increase their confidence. Prefers soft acidic water but will adapt to conditions outside this range. In nature the fish pick at small creatures amongst substrate and vegetation, and will do much better in the aquarium if they are fed a varied diet.

The fish pictured are Puntius hexazona, although these are the variety almost always sold as Puntius pentazona. The 'true' pentazona has a dark spot under the dorsal fin, although it is also possible that 'pentazona' and 'hexazona' are the same species.

Two species are sold as the Fiveband Barb or ‘Pentazona Batb’. They are Desmopuntius pentazona and D. hexazona. Most are hexazona. 
(All pictures on the profile are of hexazona).

     

 

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