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A Field Reference for the Freshwater Aquarium

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Family Reference

Barbs

Cyprinidae proper — tiger barbs, cherry barbs, rosy barbs, denison barbs, and other shoaling cyprinids that require open swimming water.

✦ Complete Guide

The Complete Barbs Guide (Cyprinidae): Shoals & Care

Scientific and practical reference to aquarium barbs: modern Cyprinidae taxonomy, barbel anatomy, shoaling behaviour, water chemistry.

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Species & Profiles

All articles in this section

Why Are My Tiger Barbs Attacking Each Other?
Barbs

Why Are My Tiger Barbs Attacking Each Other?

Tiger barb aggression inside the shoal almost always means the group is too small. Here is how to identify the type of conflict, fix shoal size and sex ratio, and choose tankmates that do not attract nipping.

Filament Barb (Dawkinsia filamentosa): River Barb Care
Barbs

Filament Barb (Dawkinsia filamentosa): River Barb Care

Field profile of Dawkinsia filamentosa: identification, origin, aquarium water parameters, behaviour, tankmates, breeding and common husbandry failures.

Rainbow Shark (Epalzeorhynchos frenatum): Territorial Care
Barbs

Rainbow Shark (Epalzeorhynchos frenatum): Territorial Care

Field profile of Epalzeorhynchos frenatum: identification, origin, aquarium water parameters, behaviour, tankmates, breeding and common husbandry failures.

Tiger Barb (Puntigrus tetrazona): Care & Shoal Behaviour
Barbs

Tiger Barb (Puntigrus tetrazona): Care & Shoal Behaviour

Field profile of Puntigrus tetrazona: identification, origin, aquarium water parameters, behaviour, tankmates, breeding and common husbandry failures.

Gold Barb (Barbodes semifasciolatus): Care & Origins
Barbs

Gold Barb (Barbodes semifasciolatus): Care & Origins

Field profile of Barbodes semifasciolatus: identification, origin, aquarium water parameters, behaviour, tankmates, breeding and common husbandry failures.

Rosy Barb (Pethia conchonius): Cool-Water Barb Care
Barbs

Rosy Barb (Pethia conchonius): Cool-Water Barb Care

Field profile of Pethia conchonius: identification, origin, aquarium water parameters, behaviour, tankmates, breeding and common husbandry failures.

Denison Barb (Sahyadria denisonii): Ethical Care
Barbs

Denison Barb (Sahyadria denisonii): Ethical Care

Field profile of Sahyadria denisonii: identification, origin, aquarium water parameters, behaviour, tankmates, breeding and common husbandry failures.

Five-Banded Barb (Desmopuntius pentazona): Soft-Water Care
Barbs

Five-Banded Barb (Desmopuntius pentazona): Soft-Water Care

Field profile of Desmopuntius pentazona: identification, origin, aquarium water parameters, behaviour, tankmates, breeding and common husbandry failures.

Checker Barb (Oliotius oligolepis): Planted Tank Care
Barbs

Checker Barb (Oliotius oligolepis): Planted Tank Care

Field profile of Oliotius oligolepis: identification, origin, aquarium water parameters, behaviour, tankmates, breeding and common husbandry failures.

Cherry Barb (Puntius titteya): Peaceful Planted Care
Barbs

Cherry Barb (Puntius titteya): Peaceful Planted Care

Field profile of Puntius titteya: identification, origin, aquarium water parameters, behaviour, tankmates, breeding and common husbandry failures.

Red-Tail Black Shark (Epalzeorhynchos bicolor): Care
Barbs

Red-Tail Black Shark (Epalzeorhynchos bicolor): Care

Field profile of Epalzeorhynchos bicolor: identification, origin, aquarium water parameters, behaviour, tankmates, breeding and common husbandry failures.

Melon Barb (Haludaria fasciata): South Indian Barb Care
Barbs

Melon Barb (Haludaria fasciata): South Indian Barb Care

Field profile of Haludaria fasciata: identification, origin, aquarium water parameters, behaviour, tankmates, breeding and common husbandry failures.

Tinfoil Barb (Barbonymus schwanenfeldii): Large Barb Care
Barbs

Tinfoil Barb (Barbonymus schwanenfeldii): Large Barb Care

Field profile of Barbonymus schwanenfeldii: identification, origin, aquarium water parameters, behaviour, tankmates, breeding and common husbandry failures.

Odessa Barb (Pethia padamya): Myanmar Barb Care
Barbs

Odessa Barb (Pethia padamya): Myanmar Barb Care

Field profile of Pethia padamya: identification, origin, aquarium water parameters, behaviour, tankmates, breeding and common husbandry failures.

Sumatran Barb (Puntius vittatus): Small Barb Care
Barbs

Sumatran Barb (Puntius vittatus): Small Barb Care

Field profile of Puntius vittatus: identification, origin, aquarium water parameters, behaviour, tankmates, breeding and common husbandry failures.

Black Ruby Barb (Pethia nigrofasciata): Sri Lankan Care
Barbs

Black Ruby Barb (Pethia nigrofasciata): Sri Lankan Care

Field profile of Pethia nigrofasciata: identification, origin, aquarium water parameters, behaviour, tankmates, breeding and common husbandry failures.

Bala Shark (Balantiocheilos melanopterus): Large Shoaler Care
Barbs

Bala Shark (Balantiocheilos melanopterus): Large Shoaler Care

Field profile of Balantiocheilos melanopterus: identification, origin, aquarium water parameters, behaviour, tankmates, breeding and common husbandry failures.