Blue-barred barb - Barbus fasciolatus

Food and feeding
These fish will accept all foods offered. Quality flake should be given; feeding them blood worm in their diet will bring out their coloration.

Origin
Africa; they are found on the Zambezi River systems.

Sexing
Males will display a brighter coloration when in spawning mode.

Breeding
Include a spawning mop or fine leaved plants in the breeding tank. The eggs will normally be laid in the early hours of the morning but remove the parents when this has occurred. The eggs should hatch between 24-48 hours and the fry, once free swimming can be fed on Infusoria. After a few days, when the fry have grown slightly, they can be fed on crushed flake or newly hatched brine shrimp.

Lifespan
The expected life span for this fish is 3-5 years.

Short description
Best kept in small groups, the males may bicker with each other when displaying to the females. Open swimming spaces should be provided in the tank, these fish prefer sot, acidic water.

Picture
Bought by aqua-fish.net from jjphoto.dk.