Mary Allen
The Sumatran barb (Puntigrus tetrazole) is one of the most popular aquarium fish worldwide. There are several reasons for this: She is pretty, easy to care for, and very active. Contrary to what her name might lead you to believe, she does not come from the Indonesian island of Sumatra. In the wild, the freshwater fish, also known as Borneo barb or four-belted barb, can be found primarily in Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
Sumatran Barbs Prefer to Live Out Their Play Instinct in Swarms
The Sumatran barb has a pronounced play instinct. So that she can live this out, you should keep the freshwater fish in a school with at least ten other fish. This will prevent him from bothering other tank residents who might find his play instinct aggressive. The Sumatran barb is not only extremely active but also likes to tug at the fins of other fish. They should therefore not be socialized with animals that have extended fins or threads. Instead of sharing the tank with angelfish or gouramis, it is better to share the tank with short-finned fish such as other barbels, danios, or loaches.
Dense Planting and Lots of Swimming Space
The Sumatran barb finds its natural habitat in densely planted riparian zones with the murky ground and many hiding places. So that the swarm feels comfortable in its aquarium, you should design it similarly. It is important to leave enough space for swimming in the middle layer of the pool. The barbel swarm needs it to let off steam in a species-appropriate manner. Supplemented with well-filtered water with a gentle current, you make your aquarium the perfect home for your carp fish.
The Sumatran Barb Also Likes to be Upside Down
If you see your tiger mullet turning pale and turning upside down, don’t worry, you should still keep an eye on them. If they behave normally and stay with the swarm, everything is fine. If they also isolate themselves from the swarm, there may be a disease behind it, such as a defective lateral line organ.
Grateful Omnivores of the Genus Puntius
The robust fish of the genus Puntius are not choosy when it comes to food. They accept almost any food but are happy about a varied diet of live, dry and frozen food, as well as some fresh vegetables. Since they do not hate food, you should be careful not to overfeed them.