Photos © Sean Evans
|
| Common name: | Pentazona barb, Five Banded barb |
| Scientific name: | Desmopuntius pentazona |
| Synonyms: | Puntius pentazona, Barbus pentazona, Capoeta pentazona, Desmopuntius hexazona* |
| Size: | Up to 2" (5cm) |
| Origin: | Southeast Asia: Borneo, Malayan peninsula, Singapore. |
| Tank setup: | Planted tank with plenty of cover for this timid shoaling species. Avoid overly bright lighting, or provide shade. |
| Compatibility: | A peaceful community fish, may be timid in the presence of more boisterous fish. Keep in a shoal. |
| Temperature: | 23-26oC (73-79oF) |
| Water chemistry: | Fairly soft, slightly acidic preferred (pH 6.0-7.0), especially for breeding. The addition of peat to the filter or
the use of 'blackwater' tonics will be beneficial and promote better colour. |
| Feeding: | Omnivorous, most foods accepted, use flake and granular foods as a staple, supplemented with small live/frozen foods. |
| Sexing: | Males tend to be more colourful and are smaller and slimmer than females. |
| Breeding: | Typical egg scatterer, but not easy to breed. Maintain the breeding tank at the upper end of the
temperature range. |
| Comments: |
This fish has a pattern similar to the Tiger barb, but does not share the reputation of that species for fin-nipping,
and is therefore a good alternative for the peaceful community tank.
*It has been suggested that the scientific name for the species found in the hobby should be Desmopuntius hexazona. This may be the same or a similar
species to Desmopuntius pentazona.
|
