All fish / Cyprinidae

Bornean spotted barb

Puntius sealei

Also known as seale's barb, barbodes sealei, spotted borneo barb, borneo barb, seale barb

A small, slim barb from the clear forest streams of Borneo, silvery to golden with a row of dark spots along the flank. It is kept by hobbyists who enjoy less common Southeast Asian species and makes an active shoal in a well oxygenated stream-type tank.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

6 cm

Temperature

22 to 26 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

100 litres

Keep as

Shoal of 8 or more

Diet

Omnivore: quality flakes and small pellets, frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp and daphnia

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

4 to 6 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Borneo (Sarawak, Sabah, Kalimantan)

Breeding

An egg scatterer that gives no parental care, laying adhesive eggs among plants or gravel. It is seldom bred in captivity and most fish in the trade are wild caught.

Good to know

Needs clean, cool, well oxygenated water with some current and may be confused with other spotted Bornean barbs. Its generic placement is unsettled, so it may be listed under Barbodes or Puntius.