Eight Banded Barb
Eirmotus octozona
Eight Banded False Barbs are an extremely beautiful, but very shy and delicate species. They must be maintained in groups of six or more fish due to their shoaling nature, and should only be considered for mature softwater aquaria. A good amount of plant cover will provide much needed shady areas for these timid fish to congregate underneath. In the wild, these fish are found in blackwater forest streams which must be replicated as closely as possible in the home aquarium. They will not fare well in harder, more alkaline conditions. The addition of Indian Almond Leaves (Terminalia catappa) to the filter can be beneficial.
Current Size – 4 cm
Adult Length – 5cm
Temperature Range – 23 - 28°C
pH Range – 5.5 – 7.0
Special Requirements - This is a schooling barb and should be kept in groups of 6 or more. They can be shy, especially if the aquarium is too light and open. They can be a bit fin nippy if kept in small groups.
Tanks Mates and Compatibility – An ideal addition to a peaceful community of Southeast Asian fishes with comparably-sized cyprinids, cobitids, and certain anabantoids perhaps constituting the best choices.
Ideal Number to Keep – They should be kept in a shoal of 6 or more.
Feeding – Flake, micropellets, small frozen foods such as mosquito larvae, daphnia, and brineshrimp.
Please note – Some images used are library photos and will show the colour potential at a fully mature size, as our fish are juveniles they may vary.
We always aim to supply the fish as close to the purchase size as possible. On rare occasions if this is not possible we will contact you.
The fish are selected at random however you are welcome to make a note on the order and the fish manager will do his best for you, requests are dependent on stock at the time of your order.
