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African Banded Barb
Fine dark bars cross golden flanks; broken sightlines give subordinate fish refuge.
A slender body carries roughly 10–15 blue-black bars, some anterior marks oval and the final mark often a tail-base spot. Male colour intensifies during display.
- Adult length
- Up to 6 cm (standard length, without the tail fin)
- Water temperature
- 20–26 °C
- Lifespan
- 4–6 years
- pH
- 5–6.5
- Hardness
- 1–12 dGH
- Natural habitat
- Favours oxygen-rich, vegetated floodplain channels and permanent lagoons.
Needs soft acidic water, dim light and gentle flow with adequate oxygen and established filtration. Newly imported fish may be delicate; avoid newly set-up tanks.
Appearance and identification
Its numerous narrow bars differ from the few broad bands of Asian tiger barb trade fish and the scale crescents of checkerboard barbs.
Same-species behaviour
These fish form social groups rather than constant coordinated schools. Male hierarchies need both numbers and retreat space.
Space requirements
A 75 × 30 cm base suits a group of at least eight. Inadequate space or sightline breaks can leave weaker fish repeatedly bullied.
Diet and feeding
Combine small prepared, live or frozen foods with plant content; check that shy individuals eat.
Compatibility limits
Avoid much larger or boisterous companions. A peaceful label does not remove male social pressure.
Aquarium environment
Shade-tolerant plants, floating cover, roots and leaves provide refuge. Gentle flow still needs oxygen; leaf litter replaces neither food nor maintenance.