Fiveband Barb

The Fiveband Barb is a barbel from the carp family and originally comes from Southeast Asia. Its range extends across Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Sumatra and Kalimantan, where it lives in calm lowland waters and blackwater streams. It is particularly pretty because of the 5 vertical black and bluish to greenish iridescent stripes on a reddish-brown base color.

Care in the Aquarium

An aquarium with at least 100 liters is required to care for the Fiveband Barb. This school fish feels most comfortable in a group with at least 10 members of its species. Dense and high planting also ensures the barbel’s well-being, although there should be enough space for swimming. A fine substrate such as sand or soil is ideal, as the Fiveband Barb likes to dig through it in search of food. The water should be soft to medium hard and, above all, clean. Therefore, a weekly water change should not be neglected. Desmopuntius pentazona is a rather shy species that can be socialized with other, not too lively fish. It is important that the other animals should not have too long fins, as the Fiveband Barb tends to tug at them.

Feeding

The Fiveband Barb is an omnivore, which is why it is not too picky about its food. It can be offered green and dry food as well as live and frozen food.

Sexual characteristics and breeding

Sexually mature males are usually more strongly colored and slightly slimmer in body structure than females. However, it is relatively difficult to determine the sex of juvenile Fiveband Barbs. Tall aquatic plants are required to breed this barbel as the females lay their eggs near the surface of the water. Soft, acidic and, above all, clean water is ideal. The addition of humic substances, for example in the form of Indian almond tree leaves, walnut leaves or alder cones, also prevents the eggs from becoming fungal. The willingness to spawn can be increased by giving more live food. Typically for free spawners, there is no brood care after laying eggs. There is a risk that the parents will eat their own eggs, which is why a spawning grid or, better yet, a separate breeding tank should be available. The fish larvae, which hatch after about 1-2 days, can be fed with dust food, infusoria and Artemia nauplii after the yolk sac has been consumed.