Blackspot Barb

1 Blackspot Barb Species Profile

The Blackspot Barb is mainly distributed in southern Asia—India, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar—and is named for the large black spot on its caudal peduncle, its main distinguishing feature. It is omnivorous and easy to keep.

Chinese name: Blackspot Barb

Distribution: India, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar in southern Asia.

Breeding: Egg-laying (oviparous).

Climate zone: Tropical

Care level: Easy

Water temperature: 22 to 26 C

Hardness: 5 to 10 dGH

pH: 6.0 to 6.5

Diet: Omnivorous

2 Blackspot Barb Appearance

The large black spot on the caudal peduncle is the Blackspot Barb’s most distinctive feature. It is a tropical ornamental fish and not difficult to keep. Note that it likes to jump out of the tank, so remember to cover the aquarium, especially at dusk.

The Blackspot Barb is distributed in India, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar in southern Asia. It has a gentle temperament and a robust body. The body color is blue-silver and, under light, shows a metallic blue-yellow sheen; the large black spot on the caudal peduncle is its main feature, hence the name ‘Blackspot Barb.’ Juveniles have four stripes on the body that gradually disappear with growth, leaving only the spot at the caudal peduncle.

3 Blackspot Barb Habitat and Care

When keeping the Blackspot Barb, note that it likes to jump out of the tank, so the aquarium should be covered to prevent death from jumping. It is best kept in a tank with driftwood and planted aquascaping.

The Blackspot Barb has a gentle temperament and can be kept with small fish. The water temperature is generally 22 to 26 C, and it prefers weakly acidic water, though in fact it is not strict about water quality. After purchase, place the bag with the fish directly into the tank for 10 to 20 minutes to equalize temperature, then open the bag and let the fish swim in with the flow. Then begin careful husbandry.

4 Blackspot Barb Feeding

The Blackspot Barb is not difficult to keep, which also shows in its feeding. It is omnivorous and not picky—live food (including water fleas, tubifex, bloodworms, etc.), prepared pellets, and even aquatic plants or vegetable leaves.

Feeding must follow the four fixed principles: fixed time, fixed place, fixed quality, and fixed quantity. Generally, prepared feed is best fed twice a day, from 9:00 to 10:00 AM and 16:00 to 17:00 PM. Live foods such as water fleas can be fed once in the morning. For fry, ensure rotifers, paramecia, or egg yolk are available as first foods. When feeding tubifex, place it in a perforated small plastic box suspended in the water so the fish can feed freely. Other chopped animal foods are best placed in a ‘feeding basket.’ Feed in a fixed location so fish concentrate and waste is reduced; the food must be fresh and not spoiled; the amount should meet growth needs without excess. The daily amount is generally 2% to 4% of total body weight, judged by whether it is eaten within 30 to 60 minutes after feeding.