Six-Banded Tiger Barb (Desmopuntius hexazona)
| Six-Banded Tiger Barb Desmopuntius hexazona | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Six-Banded Tiger Barb |
| Name Lat. | Desmopuntius hexazona |
| Synonym | Puntius hexazona |
| Family | Carps |
| Family lat. | Cyprinidae |
| Order | Carps |
| Order lat. | Cypriniformes |
| Origin | South Asia |
| Habitat | Forest streams, ponds |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| pH | 4.5-7.0 |
| Behavior | Peaceful |
| Keeping | Group |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Reproduction | Egg scatterer |
| Breeding | Moderately difficult |
| Life Span | 4-5 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 5 cm |
| Temperature | 20-26 °C |
| Hardness | 1-10 °dH |
| Aquarium | 80 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 2" |
| Temperature | 68-79 °F |
| Hardness | 18-178 ppm |
| Aquarium | 20 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The distribution area of the six-banded barb is the Malay Peninsula, the island of Borneo and Sumatra (Indonesia). They live mostly in the shallow margins of tributaries, in the still water of forest streams, and in lakes and ponds with roots, foliage and dense aquatic vegetation.
Maintenance
The aquarium should have a dense border planting, with hiding and retreat possibilities (roots, stones) and offer sufficient swimming space. With shaded light (floating plants) and a dark substrate covered with some foliage (e.g. sea almond leaves) and a soft, slightly acidic water they show the most beautiful coloration.
No ammonia, ammonium and nitrite must be detectable in the water, the nitrate value must 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 the wild they feed on insects, small crustaceans and zooplankton. The food supply consists of live, frozen and dry food. For a balanced diet, feed once a day with a high-quality dry food (flakes, granules, pellets) as well as cyclops, daphnia Artemia or red mosquito larvae (live or frozen). In addition, they need regular vegetable food, such as pureed leafy and wild vegetables or dry food with vegetable ingredients (e.g. spirulina).
Only feed as much as will be eaten within a few minutes. A regular and varied diet promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms.
Behaviour and compatibility
They are lively but peaceful schooling fish that can be socialized well with other peaceful, not too shy fish. However, care should be taken with long-finned fish. At least 5, but preferably more Six-banded Barbs should be kept together
Basically, only compatible fish species with similar demands on water conditions and water temperature should be socialized.
Sex dimorphism
The males are intensely colored, slimmer and smaller than the rounder females.
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
In the wide range of distribution there are site variants, which differ in color.
The Desmopuntius hexazona (six-banded barbs) can easily be confused with the Desmopuntius pentazona (five-banded barbs). The Desmopuntius pentazona have a small, barely discernible spot on the posterior portion of the dorsal fin, which makes it very difficult to distinguish them with certainty.
The foliage (e.g., sea almond leaves), when rotting, promotes the development of microorganisms, which are a valuable secondary food source
The well-being of the fish should be monitored regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate levels should be checked at least every 14 days. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even when contaminant levels have 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: Werner Winter; Image: Franz Lowak
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