Barbs,Danios,Rasboras


Barbs, Danios and Rasboras all belong to the minnow family, Cyprinidae (“Sigh-prin-id-ee”). Cyprinids are the largest family of fishes, with about two hundred ten genera and over two thousand species (2189 currently according to www.fishbase.org).

The barbs, danios and rasboras are popular as aquarium fish. They’re generally small, high-backed and compressed side-to-side with snouts that are typically short supporting a terminal or under-slung mouth.

They have no teeth and often have very small barbels around their mouths. Instead of teeth in their mouth, they have pharyngeal teeth further down in the throat to grind their food.

Most minnows have simple cycloid scales covering their bodies, but heads that are scaleless. Their gas bladders are divided into two or three chambers. They do not have an adipose fin.

Barbs come in two general classes behaviorally

The smaller barbs (about an inch long) tend to be the peaceful varieties, while the fin-nipping, zooming around boisterous kinds tend to be the larger species. Most of the larger species grow to around 3 – 5 inches, with a few varieties reaching over a foot.

The tiger barb, tinfoil barb and T-bar tend to be among the most agressive fin nippers. It is best to keep them with other fast-moving, and/or medium-aggressive fishes such as the larger Gouramis, semi-peaceful cichlids, and equal-temperament Characoids like the larger Pencilfishes.

The Cherry Barb (Puntius titteya), Checkered or Checkerboard (Puntius oligolepis), and Gold or Golden Barb (Puntius sachsii) are peaceful varieties that are great small additions to community tanks.

Barbs do best in small odd numbered schools of 3, 5, or 7. This non-even arrangement tends to reduce aggression between the barbs and their tankmates. Also give them plenty of plant cover or ornaments to hide in.

Most Barbs are bottom dwellers, Danios the top, and Rasboras the middle.

Danios and Rasborasare so closely related that taxonomists place them together in a Subfamily of their own, Rasborinae within the Family Cyprinidae. This subfamily also includes another standard “bread and butter” aquarium species, the White-Cloud Mountain Fish, Tanichthys albonubes.

Danios are amongst the hardiest aquarium fishes.

Danios are perfect for beginners. Of the genus Danio (many formerly Brachydanio), there are long and short finned varieties of Zebra Danio (Danio rerio), Pearl Danio(Danio albolineatus), Leopard Danio (Danio frankei) and the occasionally seen Spotted Danio, Danio nigrofasciatus. Larger members include the standard Giant Danio (Danio malabaricus) and the deeper-bodied Danio aequipinnatus.

Danios and Rasborasare are so closely related that taxonomists place them together in a Subfamily of their own, Rasborinae within the Family Cyprinidae. This subfamily also includes another standard “bread and butter” aquarium species, the White-Cloud Mountain Fish, Tanichthys albonubes, which is another great community fish.

Rasboras number some 50 species in the genus Rasbora, plus a few in other genera.

Rasboras are small minnow fishes; most are an inch or so, though a few relative giants approach half a foot in length. All are great for general community aquariums.

To many Rasbora fans, heteromorpha is “the” Rasbora. Also known as the Red Rasbora or Harlequin, this fish now is available in an attractive blue variation. Occasionally you might find the Scissor-Tail Rasbora, Rasbora trilineata. Few other rasbora species are regularly, if ever, offered in the retail trade in the west.

Natural and Introduced Range of the Barbs, Danios & Rasboras

Though a few species of Barbs are found in Africa, the Far East and India are the principal home of the Danios, Barbs and Rasboras. None are found in North, Central or South America; or Australia.

Some of the smaller Rasboras top out at half an inch while Tinfoil Barbs can get over a foot long.

 

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10 Tips for Caring for Barbs, Danios & Rasboras

Barbs, Danios and Rasboras all belong to the minnow family, Cyprinidae. Here are 10 tips to keep them healthy in an aquarium setting.