All fish / Cyprinidae

Spanner Barb

Barbodes lateristriga

Also known as t-barb, spanner barb, lateristriga barb, t barb, wrench barb, puntius lateristriga, ikan tebal sisik, ラテリストリガ, ティーバルブ, wader, T字鲃, T字斑鲃

A robust, deep-bodied barb with a silvery to brassy body crossed by two dark vertical bars and a horizontal rear stripe, which together look like a spanner or letter T. It is hardy and active, making it a good choice for large community tanks with other sturdy fish.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

15 cm

Temperature

22 to 27 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

300 litres

Keep as

Group of 6 or more

Diet

Omnivore: quality flakes and pellets, vegetable matter, bloodworm, brine shrimp

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

6 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Malay Peninsula, Thailand, Sumatra, Borneo and Java

Breeding

An egg scatterer that spawns among fine-leaved plants and gives no parental care, eating the eggs if left with them. Breeding in captivity is fairly easy in a separate tank with soft, slightly acidic water.

Good to know

Reaches 15 to 18 cm, so it is often sold small and outgrows modest tanks. Bold markings fade with age, and it may eat soft plants and very small tankmates.