Guide to Keeping Barb in an Aquarium

Types of Barbs

• When picking out fish for a tropical aquarium, barbs can be easy to overlook at first. Many of the fish in pet stores are immature and don't yet have the flashy, bright colors that the adults have. Looking at different varieties ahead of time will help determine what you want in the tank before looking at actual fish. The tiger barb and the albino tiger barb are so named for their distinctive stripes and will both thrive better in small schools. The cherry barb -- named for the bright red color the males turn during mating season -- doesn't have the same territorial instincts that some other barb species do, making it a better choice if there will be other types of fish in the tank. The large rosy barb and the silver and black scarlet barb are both semi-aggressive, and can cause problems if managed incorrectly. The clown barb is similar in appearance to a small koi, but requires very specific aquarium conditions, so its tank-mates will need to be chosen very carefully.

Aquarium Conditions

• Some species of barb have specific requirements when it comes to what kind of aquarium they do best in. For example, the koi-shaped clown barb can be vulnerable to disease if the water is not warm enough, and the black-and-white striped tiger barb can become similarly susceptible if subjected to the stress of being in a school that contains too few other fish.

  Barbs in general will be happier when housed in small schools of the same species. The various species all tend to prefer aquariums where there are plenty of hiding spots such as rocks and artificial caverns. They also require plenty of plant life in the aquarium, as they will feed on these plants. Selecting fast-growing plants will keep the schools of barbs from destroying them. The lid on the tank should also seal tightly, as they are prone to jumping out of the water.

Controlling Territorial Behavior

• While some barbs, like the five-banded, can coexist peacefully with other types of fish, many others can be extremely territorial. The tiger barb, the ticto barb and the scarlet barb, among others, can show aggression toward other types of fish when they feel as though their territory is being infringed upon. To prevent this, be sure to have a tank that is big enough to comfortably contain all the fish that will be housed in it. Hiding spots will diffuse some of the tensions between fish, as will keeping a number of barbs together. The minimum number that should be together is five, with more barbs if possible. They will feel safer in numbers, and aggression will drop. Also, do not select tank-mates for them that have long fins, as they will nip and tear at these fish.

Breeding

• Many barb species -- with some exceptions, such as the clown barb -- will breed easily in captivity. The larger the school, the more likely they are to pair off. These fish also prefer to scatter their eggs in a fairly large area within the tank, so they need plenty of space before they will breed.

  In order to encourage breeding, separate a bonded pair -- they will tend to never be far from each other, with a female being larger than the male -- into another tank. Once the eggs are laid, move the parents back into the main tank before they can eat the eggs.