| Common Name | Golden barb
|
| Species/genus | Barbus semifasciolatus
|
| Keeping | An excellent beginners fish. Also
called Schubert's barb. These are very attractive and one of the peaceful
barbs. They do not nip any fins. They are active and peaceful. Males may
sometimes fight but never causing any injuries to each other. The females
are more plumb compared to the males which is the only difference you can tell.
They are schooling fish and must be kept in groups of 6 or more. Pairing
takes place once kept in a group. They accept all dry foods but supplement their
diet with live food for best colours. They have a very strong appetitie and will
keep on eating unless you stop. Pure golden strains show brilliant golden
colour which you cannot see in even gold fishes which often have an orange
tinge. These are very hardy and tolerate varying water conditions. Pure golden
varieties are often not available at the shops. A more common golden barb
is available which has a more dull colouration than the Schubert's barb. Both
are hardy and good for beginners.
|
| Breeding | They are easy to breed. You need a 10G
tank for the purpose. Condition the male and female by introducing them into
the breeding tank with a glass partition. The female should be plumb with eggs.
Temperature should be maintained at around 27 °C for mating to begin. Breeding
tank should have plants at the bottom or a nylon wire mesh net so that the eggs
can drop below the net. This will prevent the parents from eating the eggs.
Feed them well with live foods for three or four days. Then one morning before
dawn remove the partition, mating takes place early morning at dawn. Spawning
may last a few hours, then remove the male and female from the breeding tank.
The fry hatch after a couple of days. The fry can take freshly hatched
brine shrimps and powdered flakes. See Fry Food for more
information. The fry grow fast provided enough room is given.
Filtration is not required during the first two weeks, but water must be changed
partly using the small air tube as hose with a nylon mesh net at the end.
|
| Origin | Temp | Water | Temper
| Size | Tank | Food | Breeding
|
| Asia | 73-81 °F | Neutral to Soft
| Peaceful, Community | 2-3 inch | 20 Gallon
| All, Worms | Egg Layer, Easy
|
|