Order Cypriniformes
Family Cyprinidae
Subfamily ( Barbinae )
Genus Puntius.
To be continued…
— False Spanner Barb — Puntius kuchingensis [Herre, 1940]. (Eng. False Spanner Barb, Kuching Barb, Saddle Barb). Malaysia, Indonesia, Borneo, in clear water streams, sometimes in pools formed by waterfalls. 8 cm, up to 12 cm. A large, active barb with modest but very distinctive coloration. Two vertical stripes and one horizontal stripe consisting of dots form a cross in the middle of the body. The caudal fin is orange.
Very similar to P. lateristriga. Can be distinguished by a series of prominent dark spots along the lateral line, and a short stripe extending from the upper part of the gill cover. P. lateristriga usually forms a distinct stripe, and the stripe does not extend from the gill cover.
Spacious aquarium, around 90 cm is the minimum for this active species. Feels good in a group of commensurate individuals in spacious aquariums not overloaded with decoration elements. Spends most of its time in the middle water layers. Likes to hide in plant thickets, young fish can nibble on soft-leaved plants.
Intolerant to the accumulation of organic pollutants and requires clean water with moderate current, as well as a high proportion of dissolved oxygen. Aeration and good filtration, weekly water changes are a must. Fed with live and frozen foods such as bloodworms, daphnia, and Artemia, as well as flakes and pellets. T 22-28°C; dH up to 15°; pH 6.0-7.5.
— Spanner Barb, T-Barb — Puntius lateristriga [Valenciennes, 1842]. Synonyms: Barbodes, Systomus, Barbus lateristriga. (Eng. Spanner Barb, T-Barb). Widely distributed in streams and rivers of Southeast Asia, Malay Peninsula, Sunda Islands. 15 cm, in aquarium 12 cm. Body is elongated, back profile is more curved than the belly profile, with age the back height increases, the rear part of the body sharply tapers towards the caudal peduncle. Mouth terminal, 2 pairs of barbels. In large aquariums, this barb can grow to a very large size. Due to its wide distribution area, it is very variable in shape, pattern, and coloration.
The main background color is light beige or whitish, scales are edged with pearlescent rims. The back is greenish-brown with a reddish tint. The lower head and belly are yellowish, with a small black spot in the rear part. The flanks are silvery with a slightly golden hue. Along the posterior half of the body, from the center to the end of the fin rays, runs a horizontal black stripe with a characteristic metallic sheen, capturing part of the central rays of the caudal fin, which merges in the middle with a vertical stripe, forming a lying letter T.
Immediately behind the head is another vertical stripe, narrowed at the bottom. Black spots are located at the base of the anal fin, the rear part of the dorsal fin, and at the base of the caudal fin lobes. Fins are transparent or translucent, reddish-yellow, sometimes with a blue border, the front edge of the dorsal and the base of the pelvic fins are blackish. Black spots are located at the base of the anal fin, the rear part of the dorsal fin, and at the base of the caudal fin lobes.
With age, the coloration fades and becomes monochromatic gray-yellow. The male is slightly smaller than the female. In the male, the fins are reddish, the dorsal fin is deep red at the base, its back is not so strongly curved. In the female, the dorsal fin is reddish, in the male it is deep red at the base. In juveniles, the back is greenish-orange, flanks are golden-yellow with irregular black spots, belly is orange; they are more brightly colored than adult fish.
This species is quite active and large, can easily intimidate other species, especially during feeding. In a spacious aquarium, it can be kept with other large fish. Young fish can be kept in a medium-sized aquarium, but they grow fast and will soon need a larger home, spacious enough for swimming. Young fish stay in schools, older ones singly, in shelters. A hierarchical position is maintained within the group.
They prefer plenty of open space, occupying the middle and lower water layers. Can be kept in a community aquarium, which should have shelters made of stones and driftwood. Plants should only have a powerful root system, planted in pots surrounded by stones, otherwise the fish may uproot them from the substrate. Omnivorous, along with live food they need plant matter, willingly eating floating plants.
Intolerant to the accumulation of organic pollutants and require clean, oxygen-rich water. Regular water changes are mandatory. This barb has no special water temperature requirements. Medium-hard water and a temperature of about 23°C. Fed with live and frozen foods such as bloodworms, daphnia, and Artemia, as well as flakes and pellets, with additional plant matter. Mature at 11-14 months. pH 6.0-7.5; dH up to 10°.
Puntius filamentosus, Puntius mahecola.
Puntius gelius, narayani, orphoides. 
