All fish / Cyprinidae

Long-snouted barb

Puntius dorsalis

Also known as long snouted barb, longsnout barb, dorsalis barb, black-spot dorsal barb

A silvery barb with a pointed snout, a dark blotch at the base of the dorsal fin and a dark spot near the tail, with males showing orange or reddish fins when in condition. It is hardy, active and peaceful, making it a good choice for larger community tanks with a sandy bottom where it can forage.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

10 cm

Temperature

22 to 28 °C

pH

6.5 to 7.8

Smallest tank

150 litres

Keep as

Shoal of 6 or more

Diet

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

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Southern India and Sri Lanka

Breeding

An egg scatterer that spawns among plants or fine substrate and gives no parental care. It has been bred in captivity, best done in a separate tank with fine-leaved plants or mesh, removing the adults after spawning.

Good to know

It grows larger than many barbs and is a busy swimmer, so it needs a roomy tank and may uproot or nibble soft plants. Do not confuse it with similar silvery Puntius species such as P. sophore.