Checkerboard Barb – Puntius oligolepis

The Checkerboard Barb (Puntius oligolepis) is one of the smallest of the barb species. This attractive little fish has a basic gold background for females and red for males. The individual scales have black borders which give the fish a checkerboard appearance. They are peaceful community fish and do great with other small tetras, barbs, livebearers, and danios.

Barbs are popular aquarium fish from the Cyprinidae family, one of the largest in freshwater that also includes other popular fish like Danios and Tetras. Most of the barbs available to aquarists are from the genus Puntius although several others are also found, including Barbus, Garra, Barbonymus, Barilius and others.

The large Puntius genus ranges from tiny 1 fish to larger species that reach a foot or more in length. Most of those sold for aquariums reach around 3-5 inches in length. This group includes some of the most popular freshwater aquarium fish: Tiger Barbs, Cherry Barbs, Gold Barbs, Rosy Barbs and others. This genus found throughout Asia. These fish are schooling and should be kept in groups of at least five or more fish. Keeping fewer fish will increase their individual aggressiveness, leading to their notorious reputation as semi-aggressive fin-nippers.

Barbs are generally not picky eaters. They will accept a wide variety of fresh and prepared foods like flakes and appropriately-sized pellets and frozen foods like formulas, brine shrimp, mysis, daphnia, blackworms and similar items. The smaller species can be kept in planted aquariums without damaging the plants.