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Freshwater   Fishes

Golden barb
(Puntius semifasciolatus)

Golden barb

Alternative species (click on the thumbnail to see the card)

Names

Scientific name
Puntius semifasciolatus
Puntius schuberti
Barbus semifasciolatus

Common name
Golden barb
Chinese barb
Schuberti barb

Origin

what are its countries of origin?

Origin: China, Malaysia, Laos, Vietnam
Biotope: Asian

Dimorphism

what are the physical differences between males and females?

The male is slender and more colorful than the female

Group

Group

Cyprinidae

Volume

what is the minimum volume for this species?

300 L / 66 imp gal / 80 US gal

Parameters

what are the water parameters for the maintenance of this fish?

T°: 18 à 24°C or 64 to 75°F
pH: 6 to 7.5
Hardness: 3 to 15°dGH

Difficulty

Difficulty

Easy

Size

what is the maximum size of this fish?

8 to 10cm (3 to 4")

Longevity

what is the average Longevity of this fish?

7 years

Living zone

in which area of the aquarium does this fish live?

Middle and Depth

Individuals

sociability of the species

10

Food

How to feed the Golden barb?

Food

How to feed the Golden barb?

Omnivorous, the Golden Barb accepts all forms of food. It is best to give it its daily ration in several times. Occasionally, have your fish fast. Its coloring will be improved with a varied food, mainly based on live or frozen food.

Behavior

What kind of behavior does the Golden barb have?

Behavior

What kind of behavior does the Golden barb have?

Like most Barbus, it is very active and dynamic. Relations between individuals will be good if they are maintained by 10 minimum (gregarious fish). Note that males are aggressive and sometimes fight each other.

Fish will spend most of their time in the middle and at the bottom of the water.

Cohabitation

Who can live with the Golden barb?

Cohabitation

Who can live with the Golden barb?

Pacific, it can be maintained in a community aquarium. In large volume aquariums, you can associate other peaceful Cyprinids with comparable size (which is the best choice of cohabitation). In general, no cohabitations with fish too small that could serve as a meal. Its restless temperament could also annoy calm fish. Finally, avoid the wing fish like the Guppy or the fighters of which it could come to nibble the fins. You can for example maintain them with Characidae of identical size, Loches, Crossocheilus or Garas.

Breeding

How to breed the Golden barb?

Breeding

How to breed the Golden barb?

The breeding protocol of the Golden Barb is quite similar to other Barbus. It is rather easy and can sometimes be triggered spontaneously.

However, if you want more fry to survive predation from their parents, plan for a specific laying. You can put a dark substrate, a protective grid and plant plants with thin leaves (Taxiphyllum or Java moss for example). Finally, place many floating plants to sift the lighting. The temperature will be 24°C or 75°F and the pH at 6.5/7. A few days before spawning, condition the chosen couple by feeding them a lot with live prey and then introduce them into the breeding tank.

The laying can go up to 300 eggs and the incubation lasts 30 / 36h. You can optionally treat eggs with methylene blue. When the fry begin to swim, remove the protective grill.

Fry food: nauplies of artemia and cyclops.

Its aquarium

Which aquarium for the Golden barb?

Its aquarium

Which aquarium for the Golden barb?

A decoration composed of roots and branches will be very well adapted, with plants at the bottom of the aquarium. Be careful, however, of possible damage to soft plants (such as Cabomba or Elodea). Filtration does not have to be particularly powerful, even if the Golden Beard likes a slight current in its aquarium.

It does not like the light too bright.

Good To know

Find all additional information!

Good To know

Find all additional information!

Wild Puntius Semifasciolatus

Very resistant, this Barbus is recommended to beginners. Puntius semifasciolatus includes a variety called Barbus schuberti (Barbus schubert).

Females sexual maturity occurs when they reach 5 years old.

Paradoxically, the natural «green» form is very rare in aquariums, while the selected «golden» form is very widespread. There is also an Albino variety.

- Wild Puntius Semifasciolatus:

  • Wild Puntius Semifasciolatus

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