Barbus: description, types of aquarium fish and contents

Among aquarists, barbs have become very popular. But in order to properly grow this fish and reveal all its attractive opportunities, you need to act thoughtfully. And for starters, it's worth sorting out the basic information about this animal.

It is appropriate to start the description of barbus fish with the fact that it has another name - an ordinary barbel. This is a representative of the cyprinidae family, which is part of the order of cyprinids and in the class of ray-fin fish. The barbus forms its own special genus in the family of cyprinids. In nature, fish populate:

• south and southeast of Asia;
• Africa
• Europe.

The body of the fish is elongated. The caudal fin has 2 blades. Barbus is characterized by sexual dimorphism, while males are smaller, but during spawning they look brighter. It should be noted that some barbs fall under the definition of GMOs - in their breeding methods of genetic engineering are used. First of all, we are talking about the Sumatran red fish.

A characteristic glow was obtained by using genetic material taken from marine life. Adult specimens grow to a size of 0.05-0.06 m. If good care is provided, the animal is guaranteed to live 5 or 6 years. Although dozens of varieties of barbus are found in the wild, the aquarium culture covers only about 30 species. Among them, there are almost no large fish - usually the length does not exceed 0.12 m.

Only a few instances are able to reach 0.25-0.3 m.Grinding of these animals is noted, especially because they try to plant medium-sized individuals in aquariums. Instead of full teeth, pharyngeal teeth are developed in the mouth. Any representative of the barbus genus has a Weber apparatus that provides significant hearing acuity. A characteristic feature of such fish is minimal whimsicality and the absence of particular conflict.

Only with gross errors of maintenance the aquarium barbel begins to show aggression to other fish. Therefore, you will have to carefully study the features of the species before breeding it. Like any predator, the barbus swims quickly and is very mobile.

Among the species of aquarium barbs, the alfinaceous type definitely deserves attention. Its name eloquently characterizes the main appearance of the fish. Wild individuals with scarlet fins reach 0.1 m, and their aquarium counterparts rarely grow even to 0.06 m. The body is oval in shape, the sides are slightly flattened. For this species, a silver color with a bluish or yellowish tint is typical.

There is a dark spot at the head of the alfarbius barbus. Exactly the same area, only with a "golden" perimeter is located on the tail. The case is covered with solid size flakes. At these scales, the edges are painted in dark colors. The name of this species is associated with a blood-red fin, the color of which is diluted only with dark inclusions and a black border around the perimeter.

The remaining fins have a yellow or reddish tone. Females of alfinous barbel are smaller than males. The fins of such individuals are pure red, have no colored inclusions. The remaining fins have a transparent color, they are not even so easy to see.

The scarlet type of barbus can grow up to 0.06 m, this fish is painted mainly in a silver-brown tone. Males got their name in honor of an elongated lateral strip of bright color. This line reaches the gill slit in the front and the tail in the back. In females, the severity of such bands is not too great. Barbel Arulius deserves attention. This is a fairly large (0.1-0.12 m) variety.

In the natural habitat (which are the Indian rivers), the aruliuses turn out to be even larger - up to 0.15 m. A characteristic feature is the elongated configuration of the body. Fish are painted in a yellow-gray tone, their surface gives off a metallic sheen. Greenish shiny dots are visible on the side. The top of the back is decorated with a row of black stripes, while the abdomen is painted silver-yellow.

Attractive appearance has a black barbus. The size of such fish is relatively small. But the modest parameters are justified by expressive beauty. Animals become especially graceful during the spawning period, sometimes the black barbel is confused with a close biologically Sumatran species. Recently, breeders have managed to make the fish even more beautiful than before. A wide but relatively short body is crowned with a pointed mouth without a mustache.

The color is yellow or gray-yellow, complemented by vertically set black stripes. Fishes at the stage of puberty change outwardly - the head acquires a purple-red tone. Males have a red color, especially strong during the spawning period. Against a background of stress, representatives of both sexes turn pale. The same may be due to bodily ailments or illiterate content. Fortunately, in favorable conditions, appearance comes back to normal. Black barbel can live up to 5 years.

No less attractive choice can be a bream barbus. So far, you can meet him in personal aquariums only occasionally. This is a large breed, painted in strict colors. It is the large size of individuals that makes it difficult to grow them at home.Sometimes this species is called red-tailed (for the corresponding color of the tail and fins), as well as foil (for the specific appearance of the sides).

The bream-like barbel is included in the list of confirmed species of fish in 1853. They were described by the Dutch naturalist Blecker. This breed behaves peacefully in relation to individuals of a larger and equal size.

It is necessary to take a closer look at the fluorescent look of a glofish colt. This variety was developed artificially. The name itself shows that the fish has a radiant appearance. It should be borne in mind that a genetically modified barbus is prohibited by the governments of several states. The main source of this species are specialized firms located in Taiwan.

The fluorescence of the species glofish in night darkness does not occur. The fish will have to be illuminated with blue light, and ideally with ultraviolet radiation. Even special fixtures are produced that allow you to realize this aesthetic advantage. It must be borne in mind that this type of barbus is extremely difficult to determine by gender.

A golden barbus is often a good choice. This species has been known since 1822. However, it should be borne in mind that the golden color does not exist in nature. It was developed by breeders as a result of special surveys in the 1960s. Natural golden barbs are covered in slightly green scales. They populate like India. Australia, Colombia, and the Far Eastern regions of our country.

In some cases, the scales give a copper shine. The abdomen is painted almost perfect white. The moderately aggressive barb oligolepis originates from water bodies of the southeast Asian continent. This species can be recognized by an oblong, laterally compressed body. The surface is covered with large scales, the eyes also reach a significant size. The tail fin has 2 blades.

Oligolepises are painted in tan. Individual scales are pearlescent and have a black edging. The color may change slightly if the emotional situation changes. The greatest length of oligolepis is 0.05 m, they live about 4-5 years.

This breed is peaceful and shy. Recommended content in groups of 5-10 copies. If for some reason people don’t like oligolepises, then a five-strip barbus is suitable as an option. Beautiful and mobile individuals are kept without any problems in any equipped aquarium. In nature, this species is concentrated on the island of Borneo, more precisely, in peat bogs and the rivers surrounding them.

Adult specimens grow to about 0.05 m, females are larger and paler. The copper-red color in the form of 5 dark vertical stripes predominates. It is recommended to start five-lane barbel in groups of 8-10 pieces. The veil barbus, called in some sources “fiery” or pink, is painted in saturated red. On the back, this color is replaced by greenish, and the belly, albeit red, but lighter from the sides.

A dark spot is found at the tail, which is surrounded by a golden ring on the outside. The movements of the veil fish are smooth and graceful. The animal swims willingly and per day in the aquarium passes 2-4 km. Interestingly, on the go veil barbs can see rather small details of the environment. This species is characterized by a tendency to concentrate in flocks, so the creation of groups of less than 6 individuals is not at all advisable.

The striped barbus in natural conditions populates India, more precisely, the Ganges basin. You can meet the species in any biotopes, from fast-moving mountain streams to stagnant waters on the plain. Adult specimens can be up to 0.06-0.07 m. The color and pattern on the surface of the fish depends on the particular area where it grew. Now hybrids are most often sold, therefore individuals with combined traits dominate.

Barbel filamentoza (in another embodiment, filamento-zus) in nature inhabits Sri Lanka and the southwestern states of India. This species has been popular for almost 50 years. Large (up to 0.15 m) individuals are peaceful and get along well with other peaceful aquatic animals. Puberty is reached by 12 months. Rhombocellatus originates from the island of Kalimantan.

Diamond-barbed barbs were officially described by biologists in 1940. Under natural conditions, individuals can grow up to 0.07 m, and in an aquarium up to 0.045-0.05 m. Transplantation of individuals into a home aquarium is carried out according to the usual scheme. But it is necessary to be more careful than when choosing other types of fish to quarantine.

The neon look of the fish is the same as the fiery variety.

If you don’t like this look or Hong Kong, you can look at the rainbow type. Alternative names are ciprinella and notropis. The largest body length reaches 0.07 m. The light body has overflows determined by the angle of incidence of light. Therefore, one individual can have both elegant and very simple appearance.

Gracilis is another attractive type. It reaches a maximum length of 0.02 m in length. Packs contain at least 20 specimens. A characteristic feature of the species is total peacefulness and excellent compatibility with the same small calm inhabitants of the water. The transparent body of the fish has a small pink area in the intestine and a black spot at the tail.

It is impossible to visually separate females and males of gracilis. As for the solar barbs, this is a larger fish - up to 0.04 m. In appearance, it is similar to tall bodies. Yellow color dominates, sometimes mixed with a sandy tint. Head and abdomen are painted in silver.

The tiger or Sumatran barbus is almost the most popular among aquarium species. It is consistently included in the list of the best varieties of domestic fish. In this group, a number of breeding varieties are distinguished, including the green type and albino. All of these varieties are excellently adapted to personal aquariums and are suitable for breeders, regardless of their experience.

Rounded tiger barbel is recognized by a high dorsal fin and a pointed head. The whole contour of the body creates the thought of speed and swiftness. The dominant color ranges from yellow to reddish tones. Clearly visible 4 stripes in black. In many cases, a red tail and the same fins are found.

Barbus Oreichtis looks very unusual. Females of this species are less impressive than males, and are clearly inferior to them in color saturation. The variety is considered unpretentious and gets along well with other inhabitants of the aquariums. In developed individuals, the length is 0.03-0.045 m. It is easy to confuse oreichtis and close cozuatis - at this point, special attention should be paid.

As for the albino barbs, often the name is given to Sumatran individuals obtained by complex selection. The colors of animals can range from yellow to creamy, sometimes there are colorless stripes. Gill covers sometimes absent. The problem is often the exactingness of the conditions in the aquarium.

Of the colored fish, the clown also deserves attention. This species is very mobile and prone to jumping from the water. In nature, clowns inhabit standing water bodies in southeast Asia. They are characterized by an elongated and elongated body.The back is curved more than the belly, the mouth is decorated with four mustaches, and the tail is a fin of two blades.

The cross type is also characterized by mobility and at the same time reaches a fairly large value. A flock animal moves actively throughout life. The length of the cross barbel can reach 0.15 m. Females are heavier than males. Light tonality prevails, and the pattern on the surface of the body resembles a cross (hence the name).

The rainbow look is unknown to biologists - this is the common name for shiner and notropis. A characteristic feature of animals is vigorous activity and constant movement. As for olive fish, they are described in 1844. The view comes either from the south of India, or from Thailand. Single individuals can reach 0.18 m, and in configuration they are close to the arulius. The color of the fish is not pure olive; a silver tone is woven into it. Large scales with a dull green color and medium-sized golden patches are characteristic.

The Aral barbus has recently thinned. Therefore, in the practice of aquarists, it is found many times less than the melon type, or by another name for the panda. In nature, this fish reaches 0.15 m, and in aquaculture - only 0.07 m. Like other barbel, fish must be kept in schools.

To complete the review of barbs is appropriate on a linear variety. This fish comes from the Malacca Peninsula. The length reaches 0.08-0.1 m, the body is elongated, and the dorsal profile is slightly concave. The yellow-gold color predominates, along the body 4 blue-black stripes are drawn. The caudal fin is slightly rounded, as if incised, along the perimeter it has a narrow black edging.

Shark barbs optimally feel in aquariums with a minimum of 200 liters in volume. There they reveal their aesthetic merits. These animals reach 0.2-0.25 m in length. The name of the species is associated not only with the characteristic appearance of the fins. The appetite of such barbel is also very impressive, as if it was really a miniature shark.

The linear (ruled, striped) type of barbus is painted in olive or gray tones. From the branchial part of the body to the caudal fin, black stripes are located. There is a line barbus from the Indonesian islands. In length, it is 0.08-0.09 m, most often 5 or 6 individuals are placed in the aquarium. The striped fish is unpretentious and almost omnivorous.

Barbs get along relatively well with each other and with other species. However, short outbreaks of aggression cannot be ruled out. If the conflict has already erupted, it can lead to serious bloodshed. Therefore, fish farmers need to carefully prevent any collisions in the bud. It is undesirable to keep fish with powerful beautiful fins in the same aquarium - they can suffer greatly. Poor companions will be lilyus and astronotus. And for the best combination, you can populate in the same aquarium:

• viviparous fish (swordsmen);
• pecilia;
• molliesia;
• any tetras;
• gourami;
• calm varieties of cichlids.

The geometry of the vessels is selected taking into account the rapid movement and swiftness of maneuvers of this fish. Therefore, the aquarium should be elongated, oblong - otherwise the fish will not be able to "gain acceleration" as it should.

Barbuses (at least Sumatran) are not very sensitive to the concentration of oxygen in the aquarium. But still, you should carefully approach this problem. It is worth systematically replacing part of the liquid or conducting high-quality aeration. It is also recommended to maintain a temperature of 20-25 degrees.More accurate indicators of water quality depend on the specific type of barbs.

It should be remembered that at temperatures below 20 and above 28 degrees, fish not only begin to behave badly. They suffer at the organic level. The best indicator is warming up from 23 to 25 degrees. In this case, the most physiological conditions for this species are created. Of course, if quality care is also being carried out in other areas.

There are some exceptions to the general rule. So, the Sumatran look feels best at a temperature of 25 to 30 degrees. In any case, the most effective control is achieved using an aquarium thermometer. Its purchase and constant use will save from many unnecessary costs for aquarium fish.

The bottom is covered with dark soil. It will serve as an optimal background for brightly colored individuals. Too many plants should not be planted in a pond, and therefore it is not necessary to take care of soil fertility. It is advisable to give preference to soils without synthesized dyes. Natural materials such as basalt, pebbles and gravel are better suited.

At the same time, particles with cutting edges are carefully avoided. Planting plants produce compact dense groups. The area in the middle of the tank is freed up for free movement. It is advisable to give aquarium plants the role of both shelter and decoration. But the Dutch type of aquarium is hardly suitable - in it barbs will quickly break all harmony. For planting in an aquarium with barbs recommend:

• Wallisneria
• cryptocoryne;
• Anubias
• arrowheads;
• echinodorus;
• elodei.

The best candidates are mosses from Thailand and Java, hornwort, nyass, fontinalis, cirrus leaves. Such crops will serve as optimal shelters for fish. Floating species will create the necessary shading and save the inhabitants of the aquarium from excessively bright light. Important: you will have to lock the container with a lid, and the jumping ability of the barbs makes you follow them even while feeding.

In medium-sized (0.5 m long and with a capacity of up to 100 l) aquariums contain small barbel. We are talking about species that are no longer than 0.5 m: oligolepis, Schubert fish, yellow, cherry and striped species. Middle varieties (Sumatran, gold, fire, black, eugramus and others) are settled in more spacious tanks. If the aquarium exceeds 1 m in length and has a volume of over 200 l, you can start:

• Barbus Everett;
• the Schwanenfeld barbus;
• red-cheeked, bream-like, shark species, as well as denisoni.

Feeding a barbus is simple to organize - this animal is omnivorous. He can be given cyclops, tubule, daphnia, bloodworm. The barbel readily eats bloodworms even in frozen form. It is also allowed to use combinations of self-cooked food with dried daphnia and the use of industrial prepared feeds. The mustachioed fish is prone to eat vegetation, and if there is a lack of such a component in the diet, it will eat greens from the aquarium itself. Therefore, adult barbs are given food with additives:

• zucchini;
• cucumber
• dandelion leaves;
• spinach
• wolfia.

Already from the general description of the various types of barbus given above, the main criterion for such a separation is clear - size. It should be borne in mind that in some species the females are larger than males, and in others, sexual dimorphism is expressed in the inverse ratio. But the characteristic volumetric abdomen (the purpose of which is understandable) does not depend on the species. It is noted that in males, the color is usually brighter and creates more contrast. Starting from the 4th month of development, the tips of the caudal fin in males turn a little red.

Keep in mind that determining the floor of a barbus is not always easy. Puberty is achieved in the range from 6 months to a year. However, some manifestations of dimorphism are already expressed by 3 months. Just then there is a difference in color. When a little more time passes, the specificity of sizes and typical behavior appears.

Sumatran barbs have fewer males than females; their body is flattened. The difference in abdominal shape is especially noticeable when the time for spawning comes. At the same time, “men” are relatively brighter, have red noses and the same tips of their tails. And the activity of these individuals is much more pronounced. Often males even conduct a kind of “gladiatorial fight”.

Mutant barbs are a side branch of the Summit. Therefore, sexual dimorphism in them is about the same type.

Males are prone to fights, but such actions are only demonstrative. As soon as the "potential fans" swim away, the conflict instantly ends. Males of cherry barbus are painted in red tone, and during the spawning period they acquire a juicy cherry tone. Females are not so bright, the belly is painted in a creamy tone. Cherry barbs compete, but this is expressed not in fights, but in symbolic dances.

Denisoni barbel is characterized by extremely weak sexual dimorphism. However, it is extremely rare to meet with such fish. They breed with great difficulty in aquariums. Denisoni manages to be brought out mainly by professionals who create the necessary conditions in special nurseries. There are several differences:

• slightly larger females;
• rounding their abdomen before spawning;
• the relatively modest coloring of the female, in the last 7-14 days before spawning, changes to a "mating outfit";
• aggressiveness of males relative to smaller fish;
• relatively weak rivalry among themselves.

To breed barbs, you must first select the ideal breeding individuals. We are talking about sexually mature and physically healthy animals. The slightest physical deviations are categorically unacceptable. After selection, manufacturers are immediately placed in specially prepared conditions. This is a fairly spacious aquarium and a good feed.

In the last 10 days before the start of breeding, the producers are sedimented from the rest of the individuals and fed properly. Spawning capacity does not have to be large, usually 20 liters is enough. The fact is that water can be changed systematically without problems. Transplantation of heterosexual individuals to each other should be carried out 2 hours before a night blackout. Sometimes spawning occurs on the first night.

Barbuses lay eggs of an extremely small size, which is also transparent. However, aquarists must always look for masonry, because after its appearance, the fish must be immediately transplanted into another container. Otherwise, eggs can be eaten - adults tend to take them for food.

In spawning grounds, the bottom is covered with a pinnacle, Javanese moss, sometimes a kabomba is used instead. These 3 types of substrate are ideal for spawning.. You can propagate barbs in a common aquarium, if there is a lot of dense vegetation and shelters. However, it is better to transfer the animals to a separate tank. Approximately 0.02 m above the bottom, it is advised to lay a separation grid.

The next morning after spawning, the container should be well lit. Therefore, it is advised to put it in a sunny place. You can expect the larvae to bite 24 hours after masonry, if the water is warmed up to 25 or 26 degrees.Initially, the larvae will be motionless, but there is no need to be afraid - this is the physiological norm. Under favorable conditions, larvae swimming begins on the 4th or 5th day.

Young fry are fed with rotifers and infusoria. At a later age they are given small crustaceans.

Aquarists, of course, are interested in how many barbs live. The average life span is 5 years. However, it should be borne in mind that livestock is advised to be updated every 3 years. Otherwise, the "veterans of the aquarium" will be extremely lazy, and life in the vessel will be sharply braked. Timely settlement of newcomers helps to eliminate this problem in the bud.

Spawning and breeding begin from 6-7 months. However, each breed has its own biological maturation. With a competent approach, when using high-quality live food, and animals are treated for diseases and involved in prevention, you can accurately count on 4-5 years of life of pets. Spawning is rare and uncontrollable. The average frequency is 1 time in 6 or 12 months. The terms of life by breed are as follows:

• Cherry - about 3 years;
• red, Schubert and fiery - 6 years;
• pentazones, aloofs and black barbs - an average of 5 years;
• filamentosus, osteobrames, aruli, shark barbs - from 7 years.

Breeding a barbel is not too difficult - you just need to think through everything and not rush. It is not recommended to place animals with:

• curved back;
• frayed fins;
• deformations of the body and the same fins.

It is advisable to equip spawning aquariums with compressors, filters and temperature regulators. Experienced breeders acquire all this in advance, and not at the last moment. Before spawning, future producers are placed in separate banks and systematically adjust the water parameters to those that will be in the spawning. Females at this time are fed plant foods, males are given more protein. Sometimes a barbus floats upside down. This is usually triggered by:

• the struggle for leadership positions;
• oxygen deficiency;
• nutritional errors;
• diseases
• infection by parasites.

Having lost the fight for dominance in the pack, the fish bend their heads and then try to take revenge. But this continues, for obvious reasons, not too long. In most cases, the barbecue floats upside down due to improper maintenance. We are talking about overfeeding or issuing low-quality food. Dry food is advised to soak for 5 minutes, best in water from the aquarium itself.

Various pathological organisms can provoke hanging upside down (and bacteria, and ciliates, and fungi). This infection manifests itself with a rash and white patches. If there are no such manifestations, you need to change the water, increase aeration.

About the features of caring for a barbus, see below.