Five Banded Barb
Puntius pentazona
Description
The Five Banded Barb is a small, vibrant species of barb known for its striking color pattern and active swimming behavior. As the name suggests, the Five Banded Barb features five distinct black horizontal stripes running from the head to the tail, which contrast beautifully against its golden-yellow to reddish body. The males tend to be slightly more colorful and can exhibit brighter red hues during breeding periods, while the females are generally more subdued in color. These fish have a slender, elongated body that is well-suited for fast swimming. The Five Banded Barb is peaceful and social, often seen swimming in schools, making them ideal for community aquariums.
Habitat Origin
Native to the freshwater rivers and streams of Southeast Asia, particularly in countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand. These fish are typically found in clear, fast-moving waters with moderate flow, where they swim among plants, rocks, and other submerged structures. They thrive in warm, well-oxygenated water with slightly acidic to neutral pH levels. In the wild, Five Banded Barbs are often found in schools and enjoy environments that mimic the conditions of their natural habitat.
Aquarium
Ideal Number in Aquarium: At least 6 individuals, as they are schooling fish and feel more secure in groups.
Favorite Food
The Five Banded Barb is omnivorous and will accept a variety of foods. They can be fed high-quality flake food, micro pellets, and live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp, bloodworms, and daphnia. They will also graze on small algae and plant matter in the aquarium. A varied diet ensures they stay healthy and vibrant, and feeding them a mix of protein and plant-based foods will help maintain their colorful appearance.
Behavior:
Five Banded Barbs are peaceful and social fish that prefer to swim in schools. They are very active and lively, making them interesting to observe as they dart around the tank in coordinated groups. These fish are generally calm and do not exhibit aggressive behavior, but they may become more vibrant and display their natural schooling behavior when housed in larger groups. They are ideal for community tanks with other small, peaceful fish but should not be kept with overly aggressive or large species. They are relatively hardy but require stable water conditions to thrive.
Special Care:
While the Five Banded Barb is easy to care for, it thrives best in stable water conditions. Regular water changes, good filtration, and monitoring water parameters are important for maintaining their health. They also prefer tanks with live plants, as these provide both cover and grazing opportunities. Since they are social and schooling fish, it is essential to keep them in groups to reduce stress and encourage their natural behavior. Providing a tank with plenty of swimming space and hiding spots will help make them feel secure.
Compatibility with Other Fish:
Yes, the Five Banded Barb is compatible with many peaceful species. They can be housed with other small, non-aggressive species such as tetras, rasboras, peaceful cichlids, and catfish. They are also compatible with shrimp and snails. Larger or more aggressive species should be avoided, as they may intimidate or harm the Five Banded Barbs. A peaceful community tank with similar-sized species is ideal for them.
Breeding Tank Setup
Establishing a separate breeding tank is strongly recommended for Five Banded Barbs to effectively manage water parameters, maintain optimal conditions, and safeguard the eggs and fry from predation. A 40-liter (10-gallon) aquarium provides sufficient space for a breeding pair or small group and simplifies water quality management. Ideal water conditions include slightly acidic to neutral water (pH 6.0–7.5), temperatures ranging from 24°C to 28°C (75°F–82°F), and soft to moderately hard water (5–12 dGH). Utilize gentle filtration systems like sponge filters or internal filters with minimal water flow to avoid strong currents that may stress the fish or disrupt spawning. Incorporate a fine substrate such as sand or smooth gravel, along with live plants like Java moss, Hornwort, and Anubias, and floating plants like duckweed to create shaded, secure environments that encourage natural spawning behaviors. Moderate lighting mimicking their naturally shaded habitats reduces stress and promotes successful breeding.
Conditioning for Breeding
Conditioning Five Banded Barbs for spawning requires providing a varied, high-protein diet to stimulate optimal health and reproductive readiness. Feed them quality tetra pellets supplemented with live foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworms, and frozen alternatives like mysis shrimp. Regular small water changes (approximately 25% weekly) maintain high water quality and freshness, encouraging breeding behaviors and ensuring overall health of the fish.
Spawning Process
Five Banded Barbs exhibit egg-scattering spawning behavior, characterized by males courting females with vibrant color displays, particularly showcasing their bright red-orange hues, and energetic chasing behaviors. Females typically scatter between 50 and 200 adhesive eggs onto surfaces such as plants, aquarium walls, or rocks, which males fertilize immediately afterward. It is essential to remove adult barbs from the breeding tank promptly post-spawning, as they do not exhibit parental care and may consume their eggs if left unattended. This ensures higher egg survival and successful hatching rates.
Fry Care
Eggs generally hatch within 24–48 hours, influenced by water temperature. Newly hatched fry initially rely on yolk sacs before becoming free-swimming. Once actively swimming, feed them infusoria, microscopic algae, or specialized liquid fry foods. After a few days, introduce baby brine shrimp or other suitable microscopic live foods, gradually transitioning to finely crushed flakes or small pellets as they mature. Maintaining excellent water quality through daily water changes (about 10–15%), stable temperatures (24°C–28°C), and regular monitoring of ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels is critical for healthy fry development and survival.
Important Breeding Notes
Five Banded Barbs typically reach sexual maturity between 6 to 12 months of age. Breeding should ideally begin once fish are fully mature to enhance reproductive success. Males are distinguishable by their slimmer build and brighter coloration, particularly vivid red-orange shades displayed during courtship, whereas females tend to be larger, rounder, and less colorful, especially when gravid. Minimizing stress is essential: maintain stable, calm tank conditions, provide ample hiding spots, and avoid aggressive or overcrowded environments. Sudden water parameter fluctuations or aggressive tankmates can negatively impact breeding success and egg viability.