Fun Barbus Fish Facts For Kids

In the genus of ray-finned fish, Barbus, there are several barb species such as the tiger barb, the Denison barb, the black ruby barb, the rosy barb, the gold barb, and many more. The Barbus fish genus belongs to the Cyprinidae family and the subfamily of Barbinae. Common names of these fish are barb, Barbus, and barbel fish.

Species such as the tiger barb (Puntigrus tetrazona) are generally silver or brownish-yellow in color. They possess a massive head and four vertical thick black stripes, red fins, and a snout. Females are larger, have a rounder belly, and a black dorsal fin. Meanwhile, males possess a bright red nose and a red line on their dorsal fins. Unlike the tiger barb, the zebra barb has horizontal stripes. Also, these fish are typically known for their shining scales. The average body length and weight of these fish are 2.5-13 in (6.2-33 cm) and 7 lb (3 kg), respectively.

Species like the tiger barb (Puntigrus tetrazona) inhabit shallow freshwater habitats of slow or moderate flowing streams. A temperature range between 77-82 F (25-28 C) generally suits the species. One can also find Barbus fish in lakes and lagoons. People often keep smaller species as aquarium fish. The discovery of these species in swamp lakes suggests that they have the ability to inhabit different water conditions. These fish are found in Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America, while fish such as the giant barb are native to southeast Asia. Also, the tiger barb is found in Borneo, Indonesia.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature listed the species as Least Concern and only predation is considered as the major threat to the species.

Let's read more interesting facts about  Barbus fish, and if you find this article insightful, don't forget to check out exciting facts about different fish like the channel catfish and the gar.

What type of animal is a Barbus fish?

Barbus is a genus of ray-finned fishes. There are many barb species such as the tiger barb, the Denison barb, the black ruby barb, the rosy barb, the gold barb, and many more. Smaller species are often traded as aquarium fish. Other common names for these fish are barb, Barbus, or barbel fish.

What class of animal does a Barbus fish belong to?

A barb (scientific name: Barbus barbus) generally belongs to the Chordata phylum and the Cypriniformes order. Family-wise it is part of the Cyprinidae family and the Barbus genus.

How many Barbus fish are there in the world?

The exact population of barb (scientific name: Barbus barbus) fish is not known as of now but there are around 2000 barb species found throughout the world.

Where does a Barbus fish live?

These fish are found in Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America, while fish such as the giant barb are native to southeast Asia. The tiger barb is also found in Asia, in Borneo, Indonesia.

What is a Barbus fish's habitat?

Species like the tiger barb (Puntigrus tetrazona) inhabit shallow freshwater habitats in slow or moderate flowing streams. A temperature range between 77-82 F (25-28 C) generally suits the species. You can also find Barbus fish in lakes and lagoons. People often keep smaller species as aquarium fish too. The discovery of these species in swamp lakes suggests that they have the ability to inhabit different water conditions.

Who do Barbus fish live with?

Barb (scientific name: Barbus barbus) fish tend to form schools. Also, tiger barbs are usually kept in groups of six and more. Unlike most fish, barbs generally become quite aggressive if the number of fish in the group fails to surpass five. During the breeding season, barbs generally come together.

How long does a Barbus fish live?

The life expectancy of species like Denison barbs, rosy barbs, gold barbs, and tiger barbs is five to six years long, while the average lifespan of tinfoil barbs is around 8-10 years. Also, their lifespan is can be determined by the level of care received in captivity.

How do they reproduce?

Like other species of the Actinopterygii class, these fish use similar methods to reproduce. Currently, the breeding patterns of the tiger barb are the best known among all Barbus fish in America and beyond. Some breeding Barbus fish species change their body color when they mate.

Tiger barbs generally attain maturity when they are six to seven weeks of age and their body length reaches 0.8-1 in (2-3 cm). Breeding Barbus-tiger fish are egg-layers who spawn and lay hundreds of eggs in the early morning in clumps of plants. Female tiger barbs generally lay around 300 eggs, while some other species can lay about 1500 eggs.

In aquariums, these fish prefer soft, acidic water and fine-leaved plants. Also, tiger barbs provide no parental care and often even eat their own eggs, so don't forgot to keep a separate tank for juveniles. People often provide live food for the breeding pair and move them in a separate tank to stimulate breeding.

What is their conservation status?

The International Union for Conservation of Nature has listed the species as Least Concern, but predation is still considered a major threat to the species in the wild. However, these fish are generally kept in aquariums, so they don't face such threats in captivity.

What do Barbus fish look like?

Species such as the tiger barb are generally silver or brownish-yellow in color. They possess a massive head and four vertical thick black stripes, red fins, and a snout. Females are larger and have a rounder belly, and a black dorsal fin. Meanwhile, males possess a bright red nose and a red line on their dorsal fins. Unlike the tiger barb, the zebra barb has horizontal stripes. Also, these fish are typically known for their shining scales.

How cute are they?

Tiger barbs are one of the most fascinating fish found in southeast Asia. Also, Barbus aquarium fish can easily tolerate a wide range of temperature water conditions. They are very cute and are particularly popular fish!

How do they communicate?

Very little is known about the communication patterns of barbs as of now, but it is said that these fish generally use similar methods to communicate with each other. These fish are known for changing their body color in the breeding season to attract mates.

How big is a Barbus fish?

The average body length and weight of these fish are 2.5-14 in (6.2-35 cm) and 7 lb (3 kg), respectively. These fish are bigger than the white cloud mountain minnow and the round goby. Tinfoil barbs are 14 in (35 cm) long, rosy barbs are 6 in (15 cm) long, and tiger barbs are 3 in (7 cm) long.

How fast can a Barbus fish swim?

The exact speed of Barbus fish is not known.

How much does a Barbus fish weigh?

The maximum weight of Barbus fish is around 6 lb (3.5 kg).

What are their male and female names of the species?

There are no specific names given to male and female Barbus barbus fish.

What would you call a baby Barbus fish?

Baby fish are generally called juveniles or young Barbus fish.

What do they eat?

In freshwater rivers, their diet generally includes shrimps, worms, algae, and seaweed. Meanwhile, in captivity, their diet includes frozen foods, and flakes are also often provided. Also, they become quite active while foraging in the wild.

Are they dangerous?

Species found in Asia such as tiger barbs are not very dangerous but they can attack, particularly if someone tries to threaten or harm them.

Would they make a good pet?

Yes, smaller species can be great pets. These fish are known for surviving well in both natural and man-made habitats, but make sure you feed them properly to ensure their best behavior.

Did you know...

The average lifespan of zebra barbs is five years long.

The barrel fish can be eaten. It is an edible Barbus fish.

The Barbus is not a sea fish. It lives in freshwater habitats, not in oceans and seas.

Tiger barbs have teeth and are known as freshwater sharks.

How do you distinguish between male and female Barbus fish?

Male black ruby barbs generally turn red during the breeding season. Meanwhile, female tiger barbs are broader and have a rounded belly. Males also have a red nose. Species such as the tiger barb (Puntigrus tetrazona) are generally silver or brownish-yellow in color and possess a massive head and four vertical thick black stripes, red fins, and a snout. Females are larger, have a rounder belly, and a black dorsal fin.

What are the characteristics of Barbus fish?

The crescent-shaped mouth of this fish is a well-known characteristic that helps it to feed at the bottom of the river. Also, these fish are quite active while searching for and eating food. The Barbus fish is best known for tolerating tough water conditions.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other fish from our rockfish facts and redear sunfish facts for kids.  

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable tropical fish coloring pages.