Scientific name: Barbus Everetti

Common name: Clown barb

Family: Cyprinds

Origin:Found in still and slow-moving water. Southeast Asia; Borneo, Bunguran Islands, Singapore

Max size: 6" in natural enviroment. 4.5-5" max in home aquarium.

Min tank size: 30us/gal

Description: A colorful barb which can be quite active and prosper in the right enviroment. The body color is browny-orange and has several broken dark bars. The fins are poppy red.

Care: A tank measuring 32" (81 cm) with a capacity of 30 gallons (114 L) is adequate. Leave open swimming areas in the middle of the tank and place plantings along the edges. Use rocks, roots, and wood to create hiding places.

Feeding: Plant material; vegetables; lettuce, spinach; oatmeal; vegetable flakes; tablets; live; crustaceans and flake food are all accepted.

Sexing: Males are more slender and more brightly colored.

Breeding: Use a large tank with a water level of four to six inches deep. Use water with a temperature from 79-84°F (26-29°C), a water hardness from 2-6 dH, and a pH of 7.0. Use a substrate of marbles and plants the tank heavily with bunches of fine-leafed plants. Separate a healthy looking pair for three to four weeks prior to the intended spawning time. These should be conditioned separately on large amounts of bloodworms, mosquito larvae, white worms, and vegetable foods. Spawning is usually initiated by early morning sunlight. From 500-2000 eggs are scattered among the plants after an active courtship. The parents should be removed just following the spawning. The fry hatch after 20-30 days and are free-swimming several days later. The fry can be raised on roftiers, Infusoria, and powdered dry foods. The fry are sensitive to water pollutants and changes in water conditions. Thus it is important to make small, partial water changes on a regular basis.

Comments: Clown barbs are a beautiful active species which will provide plenty of enjoyment. They should be housed with fish of similar size. They are a species that requires a varied diet and frequent partial water changes to prosper.

This post has been edited by Lateral Line: Dec 28 2005, 04:37 PM