Care Level: Easy

Temperament: Peaceful

Live Plant Safe: Yes

General Description: The Checkerboard Barb is endemic to central Sumatra and Indonesia, but wild specimens are rare as great numbers are produced through commercial aquaculture practices. There are some noticeable differences between sexes, as males will be smaller and slightly more colorful than females. Despite “barb” in their name, Checkerboard barbs are rather timid and peaceful compared to the boisterous barb species we think of (e.g., Puntius tetrazona [Tiger Barb, Green Tiger Barb], P. padamya [Odessa Barb]). Checkerboard barbs are natural shoaling fish, requiring at least 8 to 10 individuals to avoid skittishness and show their best coloration. This group should be comprised of a mixed sex ratio, and males will occasionally flare up at one another to gain the attention of females. An adult Checkerboard barb can reach a size of approximately 1.5″.

Diet Requirements: Checkerboard barbs are omnivores. A diet made up of various high quality vegetable based and protein based flake foods, sinking micro pellet foods and bug bites are ideal, in addition to offering frozen foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp and daphnia. Some emphasis should be put on offering ample plant or algal based foods for this species. Variety is the spice of life in order to maintain color, immune function and longevity of your fish.

Care Requirements: A minimum 15 gallon aquarium is ideal for a group of Checkerboard barbs. Biweekly water changes are encouraged to keep water parameters favorable (Nitrates < 30 ppm). Because we offer only aquacultured Checkerboard barbs, they have a range of water parameters in which they can adapt to. The aquarium does not need to be aquascaped with anything in particular to keep a group of Checkerboard barbs happy, but a darker substrate, driftwood and other natural-looking arrangements will bring out the beauty of this barb. Checkerboard barbs have been observed to show exceptional coloration in dense live planted aquariums. Checkerboard barbs are extremely peaceful and rarely conflict with tank mates. Their timid nature, however, may make them not suitable for traditional community aquariums that have overly rambunctious or competitive species. Mix Checkerboard barbs with fish that have a similar temperament, and these tank mates will also encourage more outgoing behavior of your Checkerboard barbs. Recommended water conditions, 72-78° F, KH 4-10, pH 5.5-7.5.

Purchase Size: Medium: 1”

Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase sizes are approximate.