Striped Barb

The striped barb is a barb endemic to the blackwaters of Southeast Asia's peat swamp forests. The four or five thin black horizontal stripes running along its gold-silver body make it easy to distinguish from its vertically banded relatives. It belongs to the same genus as the five-banded barb and the snakeskin barb but is larger than they are; adults reach 10–12 cm.

• At least 150 liters and 100 cm in length for a group of 6–8.
• 24–27°C; soft, acidic water (pH 5.5–6.5 is ideal), stable parameters.
• Dark substrate, roots, dried leaves and densely planted edges; open swimming space in the middle.
• A 20–25% weekly water change; a mature tank.

Omnivorous. It accepts granules and flakes; vary the diet with frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia and mysis shrimp. Also offer plant supplements such as spirulina.

A peaceful, somewhat shy schooling fish. It grows bolder in a large group and a dim, planted setting. Because of its size, it may eat newly hatched shrimplets and very small fish.

Good companions: medium-sized peaceful species that like blackwater: harlequin rasboras, larger tetras, pearl gouramis, five-banded barbs, corydoras, plecos.

Avoid: active, dominant barbs, aggressive cichlids and very small fish.