Gold Barb
The Green Barb or Chinese Barb (Puntius semifasciolatus) is a subtropical freshwater fish belonging to the minnow family (Cyprinidae). Its native habitat is the Red River basin in southeast China. This species was originally named Barbus semifasciolatus, and is also referred to as Capoeta semifasciolata, Barbus fasciolatus, and Puntius semifasciolate. The popular gold strain P. semifasciolatus var. schuberti (Gold Barb or Schuberti barb) was developed by hobbyist Thomas Schubert of Camden, New Jersey in the 1960s through selective breeding. For many years it was thought to be a distinct species but is in fact a selected sport of the indigenous (green) species which is rarely found in aquaria.
The gold barb is a medium-long barb. Adults have highly arched backs and a short pair of barbels on the upper jaw at the corners of the mouth. The back is light to reddish brown, the sides are metallic green or yellow-green, with a brassy or golden sheen below. The belly is whitish, turning orange-red in males at mating time. Females can be distinguished by their dull colors and their overall bulk. The average size of adults is 2.75 to 3 inches (7 - 8 centimeters).
In the wild, they inhabit running water with a pH range of 6.0 - 8.0, a water hardness of 5.0 - 19.0 dGH, a depth range of 0 – 5 metres and a temperature range of 64 - 75 °F (18 - 24 °C). Their diet consists of worms, insects, and plant matter.
This fish is commercially important in the aquarium hobby industry.
Read more about Gold Barb: Breeding, In The Aquarium, Gallery
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