Snakeskin Barb - Puntius rhombocellatus

Synonyms
(Puntius Pentazona rhombocellatus, Barbus rhombocellatus, Barbus kahajani, Puntius rhombocellatus)

Alternative Names
Rhombo Barb, Rhomb Barb, Snakeskin Barb

Family - Cyprinidae

Minimum Tank Size - 29g/30g

Care Level - Moderate

Temperment - Peaceful

Water Conditions - 73-82 degrees, 5.5-7.0 Ph, 4-10 kh

Max Size - 1.5" - 2"

Color Forms - Orange, Red

Diet - Omnivore - Will eat a wide variety of foods and their preference is live or frozen food such as bloodworms, daphnia or mosquito larvae and enriched brine shrimp.


Origin - Borneo, Indonesia

Sexing - Males tend to be slimmer and more colorful than Females

Environmental Specifics - They thrive in soft, slightly acidic water, preferably with peat filtration. A dark substrate and subdued lighting (from floating plants) best shows their delicate colors. Complete the tank with plants, rocks and driftwood, leaving an open area in the middle for swimming.

Behavior - They are an active, peaceful shoaling (schooling) fish that is a blast to watch. However, they will become timid with boisterous fish. Not the fast, aggressive fin nippers like other barbs.

Tank Compatibility - They work well with other barbs, rasboras, small, peaceful loaches and gouramies, and other small community fish. Should be kept in groups of 5 or more.




Overview
These fish are orange/red in color with deep green body splotches outlined in black to give this beautiful specimen its "snakeskin" designation. They grow to only 2" and are not bullish like other barbs can be.

Native to the blackwaters of Borneo, Indonesia, Snakeskin Barbs prefer good quality, clean, soft, acidic aquarium water. A school would make a spectacular addition to any planted aquarium. They will school in shaded areas, dart amongst plant stalks, and cruise the mid-level regions of your aquarium.

Successful breeding requires strict attention to water softness and acidity, best obtained using peat filtration. Like with many barbs, females tend to be heavier bodied than males.

Although not readily available at your LFS, when seen, they may appear dull and drab, but when you take them home and set them up in favorable conditions, they will brighten up and liven up your aquarium showing the green shimmer highlighting their snakeskin pattern.

Given their need for clean, soft water, they do best when added to a mature, cycled tank. Providing them with various caves, driftwood and plants will make them more active and more attractive in your aquarium.


PLEASE NOTE - Pics are taken of fish in a bare tank and they are not showing full color. Will update with more pics once settled in show tank. Thanks

bcjoe, Great article! & Thank you for posting it. I hope more users post here in the library section. It really makes the forum a better place for many reasons. Keep them coming!

Great info!Great job!

Great job and very pretty fish. I have never seen those before.

Wow nice fish and article. Where did you find them?

I found them at Petsmart being sold as Clown Barbs, which they obviously are not.
I liked them and tried to talk managment into giving them to me for less, since they aren't clown barbs. They said no, they have to sell them as clown barbs, yada yada.

Then I research them and find out what they are.

Then I search and find only one company selling them for $7.99 ea + shipping.

Then I realize if I go back to Petsmart and buy them as 'clown barbs' for $5.99 and no shipping, I will save a bunch of money.

So I did

Went to two different Petsmarts and now have a group of 6.

Amazing what shops sell mislabeled