Puntius semifasciolatus (Half-striped Barb, Barbus semifasciolatus)

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Available in two forms: a standard greenish-yellow form with indistinct vertical bands on the flanks and red fins; and a bright yellow form known in the trade as Barbus schuberti. Care of the two varieties is identical.

Fish information (behaviour and breeding):

A typical schooling barb well suited to the community tank. Although not particularly nippy, it is lively and not recommended for use alongside fancy goldfish.

Omnivorous; this fish should be given a mixed diet containing algae-based flake foods, frozen invertebrates, and occasional live foods such as daphnia. Generally an adaptable and greedy feeder, but take care not to mix with shy species that could lose out at feeding time.

Breeding occurs readily in aquaria. The water needs to be slightly warmer than normal (around 25 C) and then the adults will engage in courtship displays, eventually scattering their eggs among the plants. As with other barbs, the parents are notorious for eating their eggs, so should be removed after spawning. The eggs take about three days to hatch, and once the fry have become free swimming they are easily reared on liquid fry food and brine shrimp nauplii.