Long Finned Barb

COMMON NAMES: Long-finned or Aurulius Barb.

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Barb US allridius.

SYNONYM: Capoeta ausslia.

DESIGNATION: Tropical.

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION: South eastern India.

SIZE: Up to 12 cm (4.7 in), usually smaller.

WATER PREFERENCES: Not critical. Temperature: 23-25°C (73.5-771').

DIET: Most foods.

BREEDING: Not very prolific. Soft, slightly acid water preferred. Spawning is in typical Barbfashion.

DESCRIPTION: This IS a beautiful species which is only at its best once it has settled down in an established aquarium. The males, in particular, have magnificent dorsal fins containing several elongated rays which give the species its common name.

Long Finned Barb Information

• The long finned barb is quite similar to the tiger barbs in appearance. Compared to the tiger barbs the long finned barbs are bigger in size and have large flowing fins. The body of this fish breed is more streamlined compared to the tiger barbs.
• The fish is absolutely ideal for beginners as it can tolerate a wide range of temperature. This fish is a schooling fish and must be kept in a tank with minimum of six in number.
• The fish breeds often and very soon the entire tank might get full of young fry. So while buying the aquarium you must arrange for a large sized tank.
• The long finned barb is mainly grown in captivity. The original habitat of the fish consists of the countries like Sumatra, Borneo and Thailand.
• The fish can grow up to a little more than three inches in size.
• The fish primarily of omnivorous type and as a result of which they can accept a wide variety of foods ranging from dried, frozen and flake foods. As treat you may introduce some live or frozen brine shrimps and blood worms in the aquarium.
• The aquarium should have fine gravels at the base of the tank and with good number of floating plants. The tank must also have enough space for the fish to roam around freely.
• Though the fish will be seen swimming in all the layers of the water but they mainly prefer to swim in the middle layers of the water tank.
• Due to its peaceful behavior the fish can be kept in community water tanks but you must make sure that the other species that reside with the fish do not get startled due to the swift movement of the fish.
• They are of slightly the nipper variety but that can be easily tackled by introducing at least 6 to 7 number of fish at a time in the tank. Being large on number, the fish will not then get preoccupied in nipping fins.