All fish / Cyprinidae

Red Fin Hoven's Carp

Leptobarbus hoevenii

Also known as hoven's carp, mad barb, red fin hoven's barb, sultan fish, hoeven's slender carp, hoven carp, red fin carp, hoevens carp, ปลาไอ้ข่อน, ปลาเอิน, ikan jelawat, sultan

This is a long, streamlined silver carp. Young fish have a dark stripe along the side and bright red fins, which fade as they grow. It is sold as an attractive, active schooling fish, but in its home range it is better known as a valued food fish.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

50 cm

Temperature

22 to 28 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

2000 litres

Keep as

Group of 5 or more

Diet

Omnivore: quality pellets, vegetables, fruit, insects and prawns

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Southeast Asia: Mekong and Chao Phraya basins, Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo

Breeding

It scatters eggs during floods in the wild rivers it comes from. It has not been bred in home aquariums, though fish farms in Southeast Asia spawn it with hormone injections.

Good to know

Juveniles are sold small but grow to well over 50 cm and are powerful, nervous jumpers, so only very large tanks or ponds are suitable. Fish that eat fruits that have fallen into the water are said to become sluggish and 'drunk', which gives it the name mad barb.