Many barbs make excellent aquarium fish.  They are hardy, active, and lively.  They do well in planted tanks and like to swim in groups. The more swimming room they have, the better they look.    Keep them with other active fish of similar size.

What are  Barbs?  Barbs are members of the Cyprinidae family which includes danios, rasboras, white clouds, and red tail sharks, carps and many other fish.   They are native to Southeast Asia, but some species are found in Africa and India.  The barbs we sell are all domestically bred.

Housing:  They are active swimmers.  Provide open space for swimming with bushy plants in the back.  Most barbs do not harm live plants so you can use live or plastic plants.   In an aquarium they are tolerant of most aquarium conditions as long as the water is well filtered and partial water changes are conducted regularly.   (Temperature: 70-80)  (pH is 6.8-7.5)  Barbs can be jumpers (especially the Tin Foil Barb, and Rosy Barb) so keep the tank tightly covered.

Tankmates:  Barbs are lively community fish.  They should be kept with other active fish of similar size.  The best way to assure they do not bother other fish is to keep them in groups of 5 or more.  They will chase each other and leave others alone.  When one or two barbs are present in a tank they are more likely to harass slow moving fish such as neons or guppies.  Good tankmates may include swordtails, mollies, gouramis, other barbs, catfish, and kribensis cichlids.  They may not be appropriate with small tetras, but more active tetras like black tetras, bloodfin tetras and congo tetras are usually good choices.  The cherry barb is very mild mannered and can be kept with almost any fish its size.  The tinfoil barb gets large and needs to be kept with other larger fish.

Community Tanks:  We have listed some barbs as choices in these community tanks.  Community #5, Community #6, Community #7, Community #8, Community #9) 

Feeding:  They will accept a variety of foods.  Feed flakes, small pellets, freeze-dried, frozen foods,  live or frozen brine shrimp.  They are omnivores, so provide foods with some greens.   Feed a couple of times a day. 

Breeding:  In many cases the male is usually slimmer, and more colorful.  After a pre-spawning ritual the female scatters eggs among plants.

Some Barbs at Elmer's:  Here are some Barbs you may see at Elmer's Aquarium. Pictures were taken at our store.   They are listed in order of popularity at our store:

Tiger Barb  (Barbus  tetrazona )  Adult Size: 3" No wonder these fish are so popular:- they are colorful, lively and hardy. Keep them with other active fish of similar size and purchase them in groups.   You can keep them in tanks of 10 gal and up. Color varieties:  Albino Tiger Barb, Green Tiger Barb
Cherry Barb  (Barbus  titteya )  Adult Size: 2"     A pretty fish that is very mild mannered. A great beginners fish.  Suitable for smaller tanks.  Adult males are more colorful.   Color Varieties:  Albino Cherry Barb
Rosy Barb  (Barbus conchonius)  Adult Size: 4" A great fish for beginners.  They are very active, hardy, colorful, and mix well in most community tanks.  Males are more colorful, especially  when in breeding condition.  Supplement with color foods for best results.  They are tolerant of cooler water ( temperature 64-74) Color Varieties:  New colorful Florida strains of Rosy Barbs include: Neon Rosy Barb and Long Fin Rosy Barb, and the very colorful Red Glass Barb
Odessa Barb  (Barbus ticto)  Adult Size: 5"   These barbs have become very popular over the past few years.  They are tolerant of cooler water (temp 64-74)
Tin Foil Barb  (Barbobes schwanefeldi )  Adult Size: 14" An active barb that grows large.  Adults will need a tank of 75 gal or more.  They mix well with a wide variety of fish of similar size.  They are jumpers.  They like to nibble on plants. Color Varieties;  Albino Tin Foil Barb
Gold Barb   (Puntius sachi)   Adult Size: 2.5" A very hardy barb. A good community fish.   A great choice for beginners.  Does well in tanks with live plants.
Clown Barb  (Barbus everetti)  Adult Size: 5"     a peaceful and active barb,  (temperature 76-84)
Checkered Barb  Barbus oligolepis     Adult Size: 5"
Black Ruby Barb  barbus nigrofasciatus   Adult Size: 2.5"

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