Golden barb - Barbodes semifasciolatus

Scientific name: Barbodes semifasciolatus

Common name: Golden barb

Family: Cyprinidae

Usual size in fish tanks: 6 - 7 cm (2.36 - 2.76 inch)

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Recommended pH range: 6 - 8

Recommended water hardness: 4 - 18°N (71.43 - 321.43ppm)

0°C 32°F30°C 86°F

Recommended temperature range: 18 - 24 °C (64.4 - 75.2°F)

The way how these fish reproduce: Spawning

Where the species comes from: East Asia

Temperament to its own species: peaceful

Temperament toward other fish species: peaceful

Usual place in the tank: Middle levels

General Information

The Golden barb (Barbodes (=Puntius) semifasciolatus) is a peaceful, schooling cyprinid native to southern China and adjacent northern Vietnam (slow streams, ditches and vegetated rivers). The familiar bright-gold aquarium fish is a long-established cultivated morph often sold as “schuberti barb”; wild fish are more olive-green with a darker lateral stripe. Adults reach 6–7 cm and do best in groups of 8–10 .

Food & Feeding

Omnivore with a real appetite for plant/algae matter. Use quality flakes or small sinking granules as staple; rotate frozen/live foods (daphnia, baby brine shrimp, bloodworms in moderation). Include greens (spirulina flakes, blanched peas/spinach) to keep them trim and to reduce nibbling on soft plants. Feed small portions 1–2× daily.

Sexing

Males are slimmer and show richer gold with reddish/orange fins, especially in season; females are deeper-bodied and paler/olive-tinged.

Breeding

An egg-scattering free-spawner with no parental care. Condition a group on live/frozen foods. Use a separate, dim tank with fine-leaved plants or spawning mops (or marbles/mesh to protect eggs). Spawning often occurs at daybreak; remove adults immediately. Eggs typically hatch in 24–48 h; fry are free-swimming a few days later and start on infusoria/liquid fry food, then Artemia nauplii.

Lifespan

Typically 5–7 years (longer possible with cool, clean, well-oxygenated water).

Tank Requirements & Water Parameters

Tank size: at least 75–90 cm (30–36″) length for a shoal; provide open lanes and planted margins.
Water: pH 6.0–8.0, hardness ~4–18 °dH, temperature 18–24 °C preferred (tolerates up to ~26 °C). Cooler, well-oxygenated water suits them best.
Filtration/flow: good turnover and O₂; gentle-to-moderate current mimics streams.
Aquascape: darker substrate, hardy plants (use tougher species if plant-nipping appears), wood/roots for shade; tight lid is optional but wise for active shoals.
Maintenance: weekly water changes; avoid abrupt parameter swings.

Compatibility & Tank Mates

Peaceful, active shoaler. Excellent with other similarly sized, robust community fishes (other barbs/rasboras, larger tetras, white cloud minnows in cooler setups, Corydoras, small loricariids). Keep a proper group to diffuse any fin-nipping tendencies; avoid very slow or long-finned species if the shoal is small.

Behaviour & Usual Place in the Tank

Spends most time in the middle water column, darting into cover when startled. Provide both open swimming space and shaded retreats.

Short Description

Golden barbs are hardy, lively “cool-temperate” cyprinids. Keep them in sizeable groups in clean, oxygen-rich aquaria, offer a mixed omnivorous diet with greens, and they’ll reward you with constant movement and bright color. Breeding is straightforward in a separate, plant-filled or mop-filled tank.

Q&A

Is the golden form a separate species? No—it's a long-established aquarium morph of Barbodes/Puntius semifasciolatus, often nicknamed “schuberti”.
Heater needed? Usually not in a warm room; they prefer the cool end (18–22 °C), but tolerate up to ~26 °C.
Plant-safe? Mostly, but they appreciate veggies—add spirulina/greens to reduce nibbling of soft plants.