Filament barb
The filament barb is a cyprinid of the family Cyprinidae, native to rivers and streams of southern India and Sri Lanka. It has a silvery, deep-bodied form with a dark caudal spot and reddish fins, and mature males develop extended, filamentous dorsal-fin rays that give the species its name. It is an active, generally peaceful shoaling fish that should be kept in groups of six or more, where it is constantly on the move. Its energetic swimming can unsettle timid tankmates, so it suits robust community species. A spacious tank with open swimming areas, some current, and hardy plants suits it. It accepts flakes, pellets, and live or frozen foods. It is an egg-scatterer that can be bred in a well-planted setup, though the adults will eat their own eggs if not separated.
Water parameters
| Temperature | 22 – 26 °C |
|---|---|
| pH | 6 – 7.5 |
| Carbonate hardness (KH) | 1 – 10 °dKH |
| General hardness (GH) | 5 – 18 °dGH |
Tank & stocking
| Minimum tank volume | 240 L |
|---|---|
| Volume budget per individual | 25 L — adds up with tank-mates |
| Minimum group size | 6 individuals (shoaling) |
“Minimum tank volume” is a reasonable floor, not an absolute limit. The per-individual budget is used by the Aqua app to estimate how heavily a tank is stocked.
Frequently asked questions
What size aquarium does Filament barb need?
Provide at least 240 litres for a small group to keep Filament barb in good conditions.
What water parameters does Filament barb need?
A temperature of 22–26 °C, pH 6–7.5.
Is Filament barb peaceful or aggressive?
Its temperament is peaceful.
What does Filament barb eat?
Its diet: omnivore.
How many Filament barb should be kept together?
It is a social species: keep a group of at least 6.
How big does Filament barb get?
Around 13 cm as an adult.
Is Filament barb suitable for beginners?
Care level: beginner.
Planning a tank with Filament barb?
AquaTender turns these parameters into live advice: it checks whether your tank is big enough, how heavily it's stocked, and whether your fish are compatible — then tracks water tests, photos and maintenance for you.
Fish from the same biotope
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