Order Cypriniformes ( Cypriniformes )
Family Cyprinidae ( Cyprinidae )
Subfamily ( Barbinae )
Genus Barbus — Barbus.
They inhabit the water bodies of South and Southeast Asia, Africa, and Europe. The body is elongated, the caudal fin is two-lobed. Females appear larger due to a full belly. During spawning, the male (regardless of species) acquires a very beautiful coloration. His back and fins turn bright red, and the rest of the colors also become brighter. From correctly selected species in terms of coloration and behavior, you can create a wonderful home display where you won’t have to look for hidden drab individuals or watch near the observation glass; they are always here, always nearby, and their coloration is always bright and memorable.
All barbs are divided into 5 main groups according to their size – dimensions (body length from the tip of the snout to the end of the caudal fin and height). Practice has shown that this is the main factor in their selection. And, of course, the selection of fish by color scheme is equally important so that the aquarium resembles a rainbow in relation to plants. The main reasons why fish dimensions are very important when selecting for a general aquarium are as follows: approximately equal size allows all fish to receive an equal portion of food and, as a result, develop fully.
When keeping barbs that differ significantly in size together, there is a very high probability that eventually a large relative will simply snap at and bite a smaller one. Under all other factors, large fish, even without physical action, by their very presence strongly and “morally” oppress smaller ones. Smaller individuals always behave much more constrained in such a situation. It can be said with complete confidence that all barbs within the same group are compatible for living in one aquarium. Combinations of fish from adjacent size groups are quite permissible. However, combining fish across a size group is already extremely undesirable, and across two groups is simply unacceptable.
Very small (up to 2-2.5 cm). These include Barboides gracilis, Pethia gelius, Barbus jae.
Small (from 2 to 4.5 cm). These include Pethia phutunio, Puntius titteya, Systomus rhomboocellatus, Systomus pentazona, Systomus partipentazona, Systomus hexazona, Eirmotus octozona, Oreichthys cosuatis, Puntius oligolepis, Puntius aurotaeniatus.
Medium (from 4 to 7 cm). These include Pethia stoliczkana, Pethia ticto, Pethia padamya, Systomus tetrazona, Pethia cumingii, Puntius conchonius, Barbus fasciolatus, Puntius fasciatus, Puntius bimaculatus, Barbus holotaenia, Barbus congicus, Pethia narayani, Puntius sachsii, Puntius lineatus, Puntius johorensis, Barbus callipterus, Pethia nigrofasciata.
Large (from 7 to 15 cm). These include Dawkinsia filamentosa, Dawkinsia arulius, Puntius lateristriga, Puntius denisonii, Osteobrama zebra, Puntius semifasciolatus, Puntius semifasciolatus schuberti, Puntius everetti.
Very large (over 15 cm). These include Leptobarbus hoevenii, Barbonymus schwanenfeldii, Balantiocheilos melanopterus, (Osteobrama belangeri 35 cm).
The genus Systomus is no longer valid and is a synonym of the genus Puntius.
Keeping most species in an aquarium is not difficult. Large, densely planted aquariums with open swimming areas are suitable for them. The substrate is dark, lighting is subdued. The water should be established and periodically replaced. The most important thing that should never be forgotten is that absolutely all barb species love clean and well-oxygenated water. This circumstance must be taken into account when choosing equipment for the intended barb aquarium.
Constant aeration and filtration are desirable for the good well-being of the fish. This is especially important because most barbs do not really like fresh water. And often, when using filtration equipment at its limit, keeping the water clean is only possible with regular and very frequent water changes. Which, in turn, stresses the fish. Water hardness is not critical for most species (preferably 4-8° up to 15°), pH at 6.7-7.0, temperature within 22-26°C.
Feeding barbs should not cause difficulties. Preferring bloodworms, tubifex, and other live food, the fish, however, readily eat dry foods as well; certain species need supplemental plant food. Almost all species are very calm towards plants in the aquarium, provided there is a balanced diet of plant and animal foods. Thickets should not be too dense, floating plants are desirable. Some feed predominantly on plants, such as tinfoil barbs, which can only be kept in a separate aquarium intended specifically for them. Barbs are very unpretentious in their choice of food – they eat what they are given – dry foods, live and frozen, and love plant foods.
Almost all species are schooling, active, jumper, peaceful. These are small, rather unpretentious fish with a sociable disposition, constantly darting around the aquarium in search of food. Barbs of various species, provided their sizes are comparable, get along well with each other and are therefore suitable for joint keeping. They can be kept in a general aquarium, but not with fish that have elongated or veil fins, as barbs can nip them. Keep in a school of at least 6 specimens.
In most cases, barbs are gentle and non-aggressive towards neighbors. This is mainly due to the fact that the barb is a schooling fish and spends most of its time on intra-school squabbles. The rest of the surroundings are perceived, most likely, as a kind of background (unless they are very large, of course). But due to their emotionality and peerless curiosity, the fish may devote some time to studying their neighbors. As a rule, closer “acquaintance” proceeds without special grievances and bodily injuries from the barbs.
Barbs are energetic and agile fish, excellent jumpers, which must be taken into account by covering the aquarium with a lid. They mature at the age of 5-12 months (depending on the size of the species). Males should be 2-4 months older than females. Like other egg-laying fish, female barbs can develop ovarian cysts if they are not provided with suitable spawning conditions in a timely manner during maturation. Some species of barbs interbreed, producing fertile offspring. The lifespan of the fish is 3-6 years.
— African barb, Gambian barb — Barbus ablabes [Bleeker, 1863]. Synonym: Barbus camptacanthus, spurrelli, Enteromius ablabes, potamogalis, Puntius ablabes. (English – Ablabes Barb). Tropical part of West Africa. 8-10 cm. They have a long, thin, silver body. Colored in grayish-brown shades with a golden or silver sheen. There is a black horizontal line on the side running from the nose to the base of the tail. There are dark spots, fins are orange. Males are smaller than females, slimmer, with more pronounced orange areas on the fins.
It complements mixed aquariums with commensurable fish species well. The fish are kept in medium-sized groups and provided with spacious, moderately planted tanks. In the summer months, they can be kept in outdoor ponds. It is imperative to feed them plant-based food. Otherwise, they may eat all the plants in the aquarium. All types of live and dry foods suit them. They mature in 8-10 months. The female spawns on small plant leaves. Fry grow quickly. dH up to 10°; pH 6.0-7.0; T 22-26°C.
Barbus callipterus, candens, fasciolatus.
Labiobarbus festivus, leptocheilus. 
