Sumatran Barb (Puntigrus tetrazona)

The Sumatran Barb, or Puntigrus tetrazona, is a great option if you want to give your aquarium a burst of brilliant color and lively activity. Because of its vibrant appearance and lively personality, this fish is a favorite choice for both novice and experienced aquarists. Originating from Southeast Asian freshwater rivers, the Sumatran Barb is renowned for its striking designs and vigorous swimming technique.

The vivid coloring of the Sumatran Barb is among its most distinctive characteristics. These fish have a distinctive and appealing appearance due to their shimmering silver bodies with black vertical stripes. They are a striking addition to any community tank because of their vibrant colors and lively nature. They also add a dynamic presence to the aquarium with their lively nature, darting around and interacting with their surroundings.

Sumatran Barbs are an excellent option for both novice and seasoned fish keepers due to their easy maintenance. They enjoy a diverse diet and live happily in well-kept aquariums with lots of swimming space. You can ensure that these fascinating fish stay healthy and vibrant by creating an ideal environment for them by being aware of their unique needs and preferences.

Habitat and Environment

Indonesia is most likely indigenous to the Sumatra island. Records indicate that they were present in the provinces of Riau, Jambi, and South Sumatra, respectively, in the river systems of Indragiri, Batang Hari, and Musi.

They favor forest streams and tributaries with a substrate of varied-sized stones and relatively clean water.

There are also wild populations in other countries, such as Suriname, Singapore, Australia, the United States, and Colombia.

Description

These barbs have a fairly tall body that is tightly compressed from the sides. Absent whiskers. The belly is yellowish-white, the back is darker and has a reddish tint, and the overall color is golden-pink. There are four black vertical stripes on the sides. The initial one passes through the eye, followed by those that pass behind the pectoral fin, behind the dorsal fin, and at the beginning of the caudal fin. The other fins are pink or red, while the dorsal fin is black with a bright red border.

This barb’s color variations have been bred. The Mossy / Mutant / Green barb is the most widely used variant. These fish have emerald-green transverse stripes that are so broad that they almost completely encircle their body after merging. About 75% of the fry produced by breeding Mossy barbs are similar to their parents, with the remaining 25% having a normal color.

A Golden or Albino form with pink body and pink-red stripes is also present. Only 25% of fry produced by crossing two albinos with a normal form will have the desired color, making it extremely difficult to get offspring from two albinos. There are those albino forms that do not have gill covers.

Sized between 50 and 60 mm.

Puntigrus tetrazona, also known as the Sumatran Barb, is a colorful and energetic fish that is a great addition to a home aquarium. This species, which is distinguished by its vibrant color patterns and active demeanor, does best in well-kept aquariums with lots of swimming area and live plants. When its basic needs for companionship and water quality are met, the Sumatran Barb is not only aesthetically pleasing but also relatively easy to maintain, making it the perfect tank for hobbyists who enjoy a lively and interactive setup.

Behavior and compatibility

Sumatran barbs are calm, gregarious, and highly energetic fish. Keep to the middle and lower water layers as much as possible. A common aquarium can accommodate a school of five to ten Sumatran barbs, or more, along with other calm but self-assured fish.

It is important to note that these barbs can exhibit strong aggression toward other aquarium residents as well as toward one another when kept in small groups of two to three fish.

Clown loaches (Botia macracanthus), another native species of the islands of Sumatra and Borneo, complement them in color and make an especially lovely combination in an aquarium. Fish with veil-shaped fins or those that are sedentary can adjust their fins with these barbs. Moreover, other less active fish in the aquarium may experience continuous stress and discomfort from a flock of Sumatrans flying around it.

These barbs stand out due to their unique 45-degree angle and inverted position. These fish normally behave like this. However, the early stages of nitrate poisoning are indicated if the fish nearly "stands on its head."

Aquarium

It is ideal to keep these fish in a 50-liter aquarium that is heavily planted and has open swimming spaces.

If the soil is not dark enough, the fish will eventually become lighter in color.

Water parameters:

20–26 °C is the temperature. pH range: 5-8 Durability: dH up to 18 °

Sumatran barbs don’t have high water parameter requirements, but the aquarium needs to have good filtration and do frequent water changes once a week at a volume of 1/4. If the water’s temperature drops below 22°C, the barbs may become ichthyophthirius.

Nutrition

They mostly eat aquatic invertebrates in the wild.

Eat everything, both real and fake, with avarice and omnivory. They frequently overeat, which leads to obesity and fish death. This can be prevented by closely monitoring the amount of food given and applying the maxim that it is preferable to underfeed fish than to overfeed them. It’s also preferable for them to eat foods that contain plant components.

Sexual Dimorphism

Women have a fuller abdomen and are larger than men. The males’ color is more vibrant, and the fins’ red color is more intense.

Breeding

The fish can begin to reproduce when they are between five and nine months old. Males and females are housed apart prior to spawning, with a temperature limit of 22–24°C. They are fed a variety of live, low-fat foods, such as corethra, bloodworms, and daphnia. Additionally, using plant supplements is necessary to prevent obesity when feeding.

Pairing or schooling is spawning. tank for sprouting without soil from 10 liters. In order to keep the producers from eating the eggs, a separator net is positioned on the bottom. The substrate is either synthetic fibers or java moss. Furthermore, it should not be permitted for any snails to be present in the spawning tank. Utilize the general aquarium’s water. Add distilled water and increase the temperature to 25–28°C to encourage spawning.

The breeders in the spawning tank should not be fed. Up to 1000 eggs can be laid by the female. Thirty percent of the water is replaced with fresh water after the breeders are removed following spawning. Moreover, methylene blue is added to the water to stop fungus from growing on the eggs. The eggs take one to two days to develop. The young start swimming and eating "live dust," or ciliates, after three to four days. The fry of the Sumatran barb take on the color of mature fish at the age of approximately one month.

In order to stop females from developing cysts, spawning in the general aquarium needs to be periodically stimulated twice a year.

An aquarium’s lifespan is roughly four to five years.

Puntigrus tetrazona, also known as the Sumatran Barb, is a colorful and energetic fish that looks great in a lot of aquariums. It infuses any tank with excitement with its vibrant colors and vivacious personality. Because of its hardiness and ease of maintenance, it is a well-liked option for both novice and expert fish keepers.

Keep in mind that Sumatran Barbs do best in groups when setting up a tank for them. Keeping them in groups of six or more will enable them to behave naturally and feel safe. They take pleasure in a lushly planted tank with lots of swimming room and hiding places. Providing them with a balanced assortment of foods will ensure that their diet remains vibrant and healthful.

Sumatran Barbs are generally calm, but they can be a little nippy, especially if housed in small groups. It’s critical to give them adequate room and to select tank companions who can accommodate their active lifestyle. Sumatran Barbs can be a vibrant and enjoyable addition to your aquarium with the correct setup and maintenance.

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