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Checkerboard Barb
Dark crescents on large scales create the checkerboard; male orange fins have dark edges.
Pale scale centres alternate with dark crescents. Ordinary males have orange-red dorsal and lower fins with dark borders; females, condition and strains vary.
- Adult length
- Up to 4.5 cm (standard length, without the tail fin)
- Water temperature
- 18–25 °C
- Lifespan
- 4–6 years
- pH
- 5.5–7.5
- Hardness
- 2–12 dGH
- Natural habitat
- Inhabits creeks, rivers and lakes.
Reaches 4.5 cm SL, excluding the tail.
Appearance and identification
Look for repeated scale marks rather than a continuous band. African banded barbs instead have narrow vertical bars.
Same-species behaviour
Groups encourage male displays but may not school tightly.
Space requirements
A 75 × 30 cm base (75 × 30 × 30 cm overall) with 6–10 of its own kind. Consider adult lanes, cover and water quality together.
Diet and feeding
Vary small prepared foods with suitable live or frozen prey.
Compatibility limits
Choose peaceful, similarly sized companions and watch competition.
Aquarium environment
Floating cover, roots and plants offer shelter and show the markings.