All fish / Cyprinidae

Checker Barb

Oliotius oligolepis

Also known as checkerboard barb, checkered barb, island barb, puntius oligolepis, capoeta oligolepis, checker board barb, チェッカーバルブ, ikan barb catur, 黑格鲃, 棋盘鲃

A small, chunky barb with large dark-edged scales that give a chequered look along the flanks. Males show reddish-orange fins edged in black, and the species is hardy, active and well suited to planted community tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

4.5 cm

Temperature

20 to 26 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

Shoal of 8 or more

Diet

Omnivore: small live and frozen foods such as daphnia and bloodworm, plus quality flakes and granules

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

4 to 6 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Indonesia: Sumatra (lowland rivers and lakes)

Breeding

An egg-scattering species with no parental care that spawns readily among fine-leaved plants or mesh. Remove the adults after spawning, as they eat the eggs; the fry are small and need infusoria first.

Good to know

Males spar harmlessly with each other, and a larger group helps spread out this behaviour. It can nip long fins now and then if kept in too small a group.