Spanner barb
Kingdom
Phylum
Family
Genus
SPECIES
Barbodes lateristriga
Population size
10000-100000

Barbodes lateristriga, the spanner barb or T-barb, is a species of cyprinid fish native to the Malay Peninsula and the island of Borneo. It can reach a length of 18 centimetres (7.1 in) TL. This species can also be found in the aquarium trade.

Distribution

Geography

Continents
Subcontinents
Islands
Biogeographical realms

This species is an inhabitant of clear streams in mountain areas, particularly common at the base of waterfalls. They are native to the Malay Peninsula and Borneo. It prefers areas with plentiful boulders and rocky stream beds.

Diet and Nutrition

Its diet consists of such invertebrates as insects, worms and crustaceans as well as plant material.

Mating Habits

The spanner barb scatters it eggs in the substrate and then abandons them.

In captivity

In an aquarium the spanner barb will adapt to water up to a pH of 7.2, and can live in slightly harder water than in their natural habitat. They are a mostly peaceful fish if kept in a school of at least five fish, but their large size makes them unsuited to a community of small fish.

References

1. Spanner barb Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanner_barb
2. Spanner barb on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/180977/89799617

More Fascinating Animals to Learn About