Two spot barb - Puntius cumingii

Scientific name: Puntius cumingii

Common name: Two spot barb

Family: Cyprinidae

Usual size in fish tanks: 4 - 5 cm (1.57 - 1.97 inch)

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Recommended pH range for the species: 5.5 - 6.5

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

0°C 32°F30°C 86°F

Recommended temperature: 22 - 26 °C (71.6 - 78.8°F)

The way how these fish reproduce: Spawning

Where the species comes from: South Asia

Temperament to its own species: peaceful

Temperament toward other fish species: peaceful

Usual place in the tank: Middle levels

Food and feeding

Algae, plankton and detritus provide their main diet but will accept other foods, if the algae are low in the tank, add some sinking wafers to supplement.

Origin

Two spot barbs originate from Asia; they are endemic to Sri Lanka.

Sexing

The males are slimmer than the females and have more coloration; this is more pronounced when spawning.

Breeding

The breeding tank should be dimly lit with either fine leaved plants or a spawning mop added. Two spot barbs will breed in groups if required; adding an equal number if each sex will suffice. Remove all of the parents when the eggs have been laid, these should hatch after 24-48 hours and the fry will become free swimming very quickly, normally after 24 hours from hatching. Feed them on Infusoria initially, moving them on to newly hatched brine shrimp later.

Lifespan

The average lifespan is 6 years.

Short description

There are two main varieties, the yellow fins and the red fins. The red fin species prefer to be kept in a low water current and will spend more time sifting the substrate in the tank for food.

Pictures

Bought by aqua-fish.net from jjphoto.dk.