The China Barb is probably my favourite cold water fish. I have 19 of these fish currently and they are an absolute delight to watch.
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NATURAL RANGE:
As the common name suggests, the China Barb comes from China - more specifically south-east China.
DESCRIPTION:
The China Barb belongs to the Cyprinidae family, which is that of the Carps, Minnows and Barbs.
The China Barb will grow to a maximum size of 70mm. They are of a yellow-green colour, with the underside of males turning an orange shade when ready to breed. The males are also thinner thinner and smaller than the females.
China Barbs will live somewhere between 4 to 6 years.
TANK REQUIREMENTS:
China Barbs are peaceful schooling fish that are extremely active. They make excellent community fish in a cold water aquarium. They prefer room in which to swim as they are a very active fish. They should be kept in schools of at least 6 fish. The China Barbs tends to inhabit the bottom section of the tank.
The temperature range preferred by China Barbs is 18-26 degrees Celsius, with a neutral to slightly acid pH (6.0 to 8.0).
The minimum tank size for China Barbs should be a 2 Foot tank. The tank should provide some vegetation and areas in which to shelter.
FEEDING:
China Barbs will eat most flakes, frozen bloodworms and pretty much all other tropical fish foods. They will generally eat whatever is offered to them quite rapidly.
BREEDING:
The underside of males will turn an orange shade when ready to mate. Courting in China Barbs can appear to be violent. Breeding will generally occur when the water warms in Spring.
China Barbs can spawn several times a year with some 300 eggs being scattered about, generally in the early morning over several days. They will eat their own eggs and so they should be separated from them immediately after spawning.
Eggs are generally laid among vegetation. The yellow eggs will hatch in about 2 to 3 days.
Fry of China Barbs should be fed very fine foods such as infusoria and water maintained to a high standard.
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29/07/2006