All fish / Cyprinidae

Arenatus barb

Puntius arenatus

Also known as arenatus barb, stigma barb, sand barb, barbus arenatus

This silvery barb comes from southern India. It has a dark spot near the base of the tail and the fins are often tinged yellow or orange. It is tough, lively and easy to feed, so it suits a community tank with flowing water and plenty of open swimming space.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

8 cm

Temperature

20 to 26 °C

pH

6.5 to 7.5

Smallest tank

100 litres

Keep as

Shoal of 6 or more

Diet

Omnivore: flakes, small pellets, frozen bloodworm and brine shrimp, plant matter

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

4 to 6 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Southern India (Western Ghats rivers)

Breeding

It scatters its eggs over plants or fine substrate and does not look after them. Adults will eat the eggs, so take the parents out once spawning is over. Breeding in captivity is fairly easy but is rarely done on purpose.

Good to know

Its taxonomy is still unsettled and it is easily mistaken for other spot-tailed Puntius such as P. sophore or P. chola, so traded fish may be wrongly labelled. Keep it in a group so it is less likely to nip fins.