Sumatra Barb (Puntigrus tetrazona)
| Sumatra Barb Puntigrus tetrazona | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Sumatra Barb |
| Name Lat. | Puntigrus tetrazona |
| Synonym | Capoeta tetrazona |
| Family | Carps |
| Family lat. | Cyprinidae |
| Order | Carps |
| Order lat. | Cypriniformes |
| Origin | Sumatra |
| Habitat | Tributaries, forest streams |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| pH | 6.0-8.0 |
| Behavior | Semi-aggressive |
| Keeping | Group |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Reproduction | Egg scatterer |
| Breeding | Simple |
| Life Span | 4-6 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 6 cm |
| Temperature | 20-26 °C |
| Hardness | 1-20 °dH |
| Aquarium | 80 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 2.4" |
| Temperature | 68-79 °F |
| Hardness | 18-356 ppm |
| Aquarium | 20 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The Sumatran barbs originate from the island of Sumatra (Indonesia). They live in the shallow margins and still water of tributaries and forest streams, bottoms covered with roots, gravel and stones, and dense riparian vegetation.
Maintenance
The aquarium should have a dense border planting, with hiding and retreat possibilities (roots, stones) and offer sufficient swimming space. With slightly shaded light (floating plants) and a dark substrate covered with some foliage (e.g. sea almond leaves) they show the most beautiful coloration.
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 the wild they feed on worms, insect larvae, small crustaceans and detritus. The food supply consists of live, frozen and dry food. For a balanced diet, feed them once a day with a high-quality dry food (flakes, granules, pellets) as well as daphnia, mysis or 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 (spirulina, kelp). Only feed as much as will be eaten within a few minutes. A regular and varied diet promotes good health.
Behaviour and compatibility
They are lively schooling fish that can be socialized well with other robust fish, except for fish with long filaments (e.g. labyrinth fish, scalars), as these can be nibbled. At least 5, but preferably more Sumatran barbs should be kept together. Aggressive behavior hardly occurs in the group
Basically, only compatible fish species with similar demands on water condition and water temperature should be socialized.
Sex dimorphism
The males are more intensely colored, slimmer and significantly smaller than the 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
Feral populations are also known, for example, in Singapore, Australia, Colombia, Suriname and the USA.
They can easily be confused with the Bornean barb (Puntigrus anchisporus), but they have red fin margins.
The foliage (sea almond, oak, etc.) enriches the water with humic substances, naturally lowers the pH and, when decaying, 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: 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