All fish / Cyprinidae

Line Spot Barb

Pethia macrogramma

Also known as line-spot barb, macrogramma barb, puntius macrogramma, longline barb

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A small, silvery barb from Myanmar with a short dark line along the rear of the body ending near the tail, and males that turn reddish when in breeding condition. It is kept for its lively shoaling behaviour and modest size, which suits planted community tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

4 cm

Temperature

20 to 26 °C

pH

6.5 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 micro pellets

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Myanmar (Irrawaddy and Sittaung basins)

Breeding

An egg scatterer that gives no parental care and will eat its own eggs. Spawning is fairly easy in a separate tank with fine-leaved plants or mesh, removing the adults afterwards.

Good to know

Rarely seen in the trade and sometimes confused with other small Pethia species such as P. stoliczkana. Keep in a proper group to reduce stress and fin nipping.