rhomboid barb

[TONYEMOORE]

am considering adding these barbs to mature barb set up . will they survive and thrive in hard water as water in south of england is extremely hard .

 

[The-Wolf]

never heard of it
do you know the scientific name?

 

[WILDER]

That name mainly means shape, it isn't a barb.

 

[TONYEMOORE]

fish in question is barbus rhombocellatus

 

[WILDER]

Common name round banded barb, maybe do a search on them.

 

[lilfishie]

Is this it

 

[TONYEMOORE]

to lilfishie , thats the baby

 

[WILDER]

What's there common name, if you don't mind me asking.

 

[TONYEMOORE]

to wilder . american book i have shows it as rhomboid barb hence posting

 

[Lateral Line]

The fish (Barbus pentazona rhomocellatus), is one of the four recognised sub species of Barbus pentazona, the others being B.p. pentazona, B.p. partipentazona and B.p. hexazona.

As far as keeping them, all subspecies have the same requirements. They are more sensitive then Tiger Barbs to poor water, so water quality is paramount. Soft acidic water suits them better, but they will survive in harder alkali water, although they will never be at their best. It is likely your lfs, if it is close by, has them in tap water so if they are surviving their, they should survive in your tank.

They tavel badly. When adding them, keep the lights out, and as low a stress level as possible for a couple of days. They are easily stressed so should be kept in quiet tanks without boistrous others. I wouldn't keep them with Tiger Barbs for example, but other small barbs, yes. Best kept in groups of 6 or more.

Once settled, they are easy enough to keep and feed. Breeding requires very good conditions, low pH and a very low hardness if the eggs are to hatch.