Schubert's Barb

The Schubert’s barb is an enduring freshwater fish that is good for novices. Its scientific name is Puntius semifasciolatus. B. schuberte is another scientific name of this fish which is not considered valid. Expected life span of this fish is 5-7 years. This is a peaceful fish and goes well with docile fish species. Other common names of this fish are Gold barb or Chinese barb.

Habitat of Schubert’s Barb

The Schubert’s barb is native to subtropical parts of South East Asia. The water temperature in these regions typically stays between 18 and 24 degree C or 64 and 75 degree F. These are active fish that spend most of their time in the mid-level and bottom of the aquarium.

Physical Description of Schubert’s Barb

The body of this fish exhibits an absolute lateral line and the last simple dorsal ray is serrated posteriorly. An adult fish’s back is arched highly. It has a pair of barbells that are tiny and located at the corners of the mouth on the upper jaw. Its body has narrow bars that are 4-7 in number. These bars seem to be dissociated into chain of blotches and spots. The degree of dissociation differs from specimen to specimen. The body sides of this fish carry vibrant metallic green or yellow green shade with a golden or brassy sheen below. Their back has light to reddish brown color and the belly is whitish. Female is more bulky than the males and she seems to have dull colors as compared to the males. During the period of breeding, the bellies of males loose their insipid whitish color and change into bright orange-red color. On an average the adults have the size of 2.75 to 3 inches or 7 - 8 cm.

Diet of Schubert’s Barb

In nature, Schubert’s Barb eats insects, worms, crustaceans, detritus and plant matter. When kept in aquarium these fish relish a broad range of food. You can opt for a good quality tropical flake food as a base and add supplements of live or frozen worms and boiled veggies like zucchini. Provide them with a varied diet as these fish are opportunistic omnivores.

Breeding Schubert’s Barb

It is said that the reproductive cycles of Schubert’s Barb may be tied closely to the cycles of moon. While on breeding mode, males may exhibit slightly different color. At the time of breeding especially, equip their aquarium with plenty of plants such as java moss. The reason is that this fish spawn in the plants. After the eggs are laid, do not delay in removing the adults from the tank or else the eggs will be eaten up by them. In a couple of days, the fry will hatch and then they need baby brine shrimp and liquid fry food or other fry food of good quality.

Tank Set Up for Schubert’s Barb

The water in the tank of Schubert’s barb should not be too soft or too hard, though this fish is quite tolerant of water hardness. Water hardness up to 10 dGH will be the best. It has great tolerance towards pH as well but it will appreciate if you keep the pH between 6.5 and 7.3. Take care that the pH does not go below 6.3. The required temperature is 64-75 degree F or 18-24 degree C. The tank must contain at least 20 gallons of water. Provide open areas for swimming.

Compatibility of Schubert’s Barb

This fish does fairly well when kept in a school of five or more and in aquarium setups of barb theme and community tanks. Make sure that you do not combine Schubert’s barb with long finned fish as the former may nip the fin of the latter.

The Schubert’s Barb has deservedly become a very popular aquarium fish. Despite this, its origins are poorly understood. Probably it has developed from the very similar but true species, B. semifasciolatus, the Green Barb. Evidence such as the ease with which both fish interbreed tends to support this belief. If it is established that the Golden Barb is, in fact, merely an artificially developed variety of the Green Barb, it will then need to be renamed B. semifasciolatus.