Filament Barb (Dawkinsia filamentosa)
| Filament Barb Dawkinsia filamentosa | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Filament Barb |
| Name Lat. | Dawkinsia filamentosa |
| Synonym | Puntius filamentosus |
| Family | Carps |
| Family lat. | Cyprinidae |
| Order | Carps |
| Order lat. | Cypriniformes |
| Origin | South Asia |
| Habitat | Streams, rivers, ponds |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| pH | 6.0-7.0 |
| Behavior | Peaceful |
| Keeping | Group |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Reproduction | Egg scatterer |
| Breeding | Moderately difficult |
| Life Span | 5-8 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 12 cm |
| Temperature | 20-25 °C |
| Hardness | 2-15 °dH |
| Aquarium | ~ 240 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 5" |
| Temperature | 68-77 °F |
| Hardness | 36-267 ppm |
| Aquarium | ~ 60 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The range of the blackspotted barb is the Western Ghats in southern India. They live in clear, coastal rivers and streams as well as in the brackish water of marshes and estuaries.
Maintenance
The aquarium should have a dense border planting, with hiding and retreat possibilities (roots, stones) and offer sufficient swimming space. A dark substrate, some shaded light (floating plants) and a weak current is ideal.
No ammonia, ammonium and nitrite should be detectable, the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and oxygen content, a filter and heater adapted to the aquarium size is required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.
Diet
In nature they feed on worms, insects, small crustaceans and detritus. The food offer consists of live food, which is accepted without problems also in frozen form, supplemented with frozen food mixtures. Especially daphnia, artemia and red mosquito larvae must not be missing. In addition, they need regular vegetable food, such as pureed leafy and wild vegetables or dry food (flakes, granules) with high vegetable content (spirulina, kelp)
A regular and varied diet promotes health and increases resistance. Only feed as much as is eaten immediately (in a maximum of 10 minutes).
Behaviour and compatibility
They are lively schooling fish that can be socialized well with robust fish that are not too small. Males occasionally threaten each other without serious altercations. At least 5, but preferably more blackspot barbs should be kept together.
Basically, only compatible fish species with similar demands on water condition and water temperature should be socialized
Sex dimorphism
Males are more intensely colored and have a fine-grained, whitish spawning rash on the upper lip and gill covers during spawning.
Reproduction and breeding
They are free spawners that do not engage in brood care. The male usually swims around (drifts) the female in the early morning, which spawns among fine-feathered plants. The larvae hatch after about 24 hours and swim freely after a week.
Fry must be fed several times a day with special rearing food (Artemia nauplii). In community tanks breeding is hardly possible, because the spawn is easy prey.
Important
The well-being of the fish should be checked regularly. The temperature should be checked daily, the pH, hardness and nitrate value at least every 14 days. A regular partial water change is recommended, even if the pollutant load has not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced fish must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium.
Further literature can be found in your pet store.
References
Text: petdata; Image: petdata
Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); RIEHL & BAENSCH (2006): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 1, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF