From Aqua Guide, the free encyclopedia
Gold Barb
Barbodes semifasciolatus
- Temperature
- 16–24 °C
- pH
- 6 – 8
- Min. tank size
- 81 L
- Lifespan
- 4-6 years
- Diet
- omnivore
- Care level
- easy
| Scientific classification | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name: | Barbodes semifasciolatus |
| Family: | Cyprinidae |
| Origin: | East Asia (southern China and Vietnam); gold form is a cultivated strain |
| Care Characteristics | |
| Care Level: | easy |
| Diet: | omnivore |
| Max Size: | 8.00 cm |
| Water Type: | freshwater |
| Temp Group: | subtropical |
| Temperament: | peaceful |
| Min Group: | 8+ together |
| Varieties: | The gold form is itself the variety, which is the key fact about this fish. Barbodes semifasciolatus in the wild is the green barb — a green-bronze fish with dark vertical bars and a more subtle appearance. The selectively bred gold variant was first produced in the 1960s and is now farmed in huge numbers, to the point that it has largely displaced the wild form in shops. Commercially available gold barbs are largely inbred, with reduced fins compared with wild specimens. The wild green form is available from specialists and is the more robust fish, as well as being a handsome animal in its own right. Albino and long-finned selections of the gold strain circulate. Taxonomy has moved: the species was long placed in Puntius and then Barbodes, so older labels use both. It is also traded as the Chinese barb, the half-striped barb and the Schuberti barb — the last after Tom Schubert, the American breeder credited with developing the gold strain. |
| Lifespan: | 4-6 years |
Quick Tips
- Bioload:Low to medium
- Min Tank:81 L
- Substrate:Gravel or sand; planted with open swimming space
- Plant Safe:Plant-safe
- Filtration:Moderate
Gold Barb (Barbodes semifasciolatus) is a species of fish in the family Cyprinidae. It is native to East Asia (southern China and Vietnam); gold form is a cultivated strain. The gold barb is not a wild fish. It is a selectively bred variant of the green barb, Barbodes semifasciolatus, first produced in the 1960s and farmed in huge numbers ever since. The wild form is a green-bronze fish with dark bars; the gold strain replaces that with a bright yellow-gold body, and it has become so dominant in the trade that many keepers have never seen the original. It reaches 75 mm standard length and tolerates cool water down to 16 °C (61 °F), which makes it one of the better subtropical community fish. Specialists call it generally very peaceful and an ideal resident of the well-researched community aquarium. One caution comes with the strain. Commercially available fish are largely inbred, with reduced fins compared with wild specimens — so quality varies and it is worth looking at what you are buying.
Compatibility
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Keep in
- Groups of 8+
- Swims
- middle
- Fin nipper
- No
- Delicate fins
- No
Species similar to Gold Barb
Matched on family, then category, then water type