Fiveband barb - Desmopuntius pentazona

Scientific name: Desmopuntius pentazona

Common name: Fiveband barb

Family: Cyprinidae

Usual size in fish tanks: 5 - 6 cm (1.97 - 2.36 inch)

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Recommended pH range: 6.1 - 7

Recommended water hardness: 4 - 13°N (71.43 - 232.14ppm)

0°C 32°F30°C 86°F

Recommended temperature range: 24 - 29 °C (75.2 - 84.2°F)

The way how these fish reproduce: Spawning

Where the species comes from: Southeast Asia

Temperament to its own species: peaceful

Temperament toward other fish species: peaceful

Usual place in the tank: Middle levels

General Information

The Fiveband Barb (Desmopuntius pentazona, often listed as Puntius pentazona) is a small, peaceful cyprinid from Southeast Asia. The true D. pentazona is naturally associated with blackwater streams and peat swamps and appears to be geographically restricted to northwestern Borneo (with some sources noting possible records from Peninsular Malaysia). It is frequently confused in the aquarium trade with the similar Sixband Barb, D. hexazona; a key field mark of pentazona is a dark spot at the rear base of the dorsal fin, which hexazona lacks. Keep them in a shoal (≥6–8) for confidence and natural schooling behavior.

Food and Feeding

Use quality flakes or micro-granules as the staple and rotate in meaty foods for colour and conditioning: live or frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia. Offer small portions once or twice daily so all food is eaten within a few minutes; these barbs can be shy at feeding time, so ensure the whole group eats.

Sexing

Adult males are typically slimmer and show more intense red/orange hues in fins and body; females are deeper-bodied, especially when gravid. Sexing juveniles is difficult until maturity.

Breeding

D. pentazona is an egg-scattering spawner with no parental care. Use a separate dimly lit spawning tank with fine-leaved plants (e.g., Java moss) or mops. Remove adults post-spawn to prevent egg predation; eggs typically hatch in ~24–36 hours and fry become free-swimming a few days later. Start with infusoria, then transition to newly hatched brine shrimp.

Lifespan

Commonly 5–8 years in stable, clean conditions with a varied diet and low stress, in line with small barb longevity. (Upper limits vary by husbandry.)

Tank Requirements & Water Parameters

Minimum tank length: 60–80 cm (24–32″) for a group; bigger footprints improve schooling and stability.
Temperature: 24–29 °C (75–84 °F).
pH: ideally acidic blackwater (≈5.0–6.5); neutral (≤7.0) can work if very stable.
Hardness: soft to low-medium.
Environment: dark substrate, leaf litter/tannins, dense planting round sides/back with open lanes for schooling; gentle flow and quality filtration.

Compatibility & Tank Mates

Peaceful schooling fish suited to quiet community setups. Combine with similarly sized, non-aggressive species (small rasboras, tetras, peaceful gouramis, Corydoras). Avoid fin-nippers and boisterous or predatory fish that might outcompete or stress them.

Behaviour & Usual Place in the Tank

Middle levels: active shoalers that spend most time in the mid-water column, venturing up or down as they school and feed.

Short Description

Fiveband Barb (Desmopuntius pentazona) is a peaceful, schooling blackwater barb from Southeast Asia. Keep it in groups in a planted, softly acidic aquarium with gentle flow and stable parameters. Distinguish it from the similar D. hexazona by the small dark spot at the rear base of the dorsal fin.

Q&A

How do I tell pentazona from hexazona? Look for the dark spot at the dorsal fin base in pentazona; hexazona lacks it.
Is my shop fish really pentazona? Many “pentazona” in trade are actually hexazona; care is similar, but distribution differs.
Do they need blackwater? Not strictly, but they thrive in soft, acidic, tannin-rich setups that mimic peat-swamp streams.