From Aqua Guide, the free encyclopedia
Checker Barb
Oliotius oligolepis
- Temperature
- 18–25 °C
- pH
- 5.5 – 7.5
- Min. tank size
- 75 L
- Lifespan
- 5 years
- Diet
- omnivore
- Care level
- easy
| Scientific classification | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name: | Oliotius oligolepis |
| Family: | Cyprinidae |
| Origin: | Southeast Asia (Sumatra, Indonesia) |
| Care Characteristics | |
| Care Level: | easy |
| Diet: | omnivore |
| Max Size: | 5.00 cm |
| Water Type: | freshwater |
| Temp Group: | subtropical |
| Temperament: | peaceful |
| Min Group: | 6+ together |
| Varieties: | No established colour strains. The fish is traded as the wild form, sometimes under its older name Puntius oligolepis or as the checkerboard barb; the genus was moved to Oliotius, so all three names describe the same fish. |
| Lifespan: | 5 years |
Quick Tips
- Bioload:Low
- Min Tank:75 L
- Substrate:Dark sand/gravel; planted with swimming space
- Plant Safe:Plant-safe
- Filtration:Moderate
Checker Barb (Oliotius oligolepis) is a species of fish in the family Cyprinidae. It is native to Southeast Asia (Sumatra, Indonesia). The checker barb is one of the few barbs that genuinely suits a quiet community tank. It is named for the pattern its scales make: each carries a black crescent along its edge, and together they read as a checkerboard down the flanks. Males are the smaller, slimmer and more colourful sex, with red fins tipped in black, and they colour up hardest when there is a rival to display against. It reaches about 4.5 cm and is endemic to western central Sumatra, in the lower reaches of a handful of North Sumatran rivers, with the type specimens taken from Lake Maninjau. It also prefers cooler water than most of its tropical neighbours. Wild fish are effectively unobtainable; the trade runs entirely on commercially farmed stock.
Compatibility
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Keep in
- Groups of 6+
- Swims
- middle
- Fin nipper
- No
- Delicate fins
- No
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