The Checker Barb (Barbus oligolepis) or Checkered Barb is a tropical fish belonging to the Barb family (Cyprinidae). Originating in Indonesia and Sumatra, this peaceful fish is sometimes used in community tanks by fish keeping hobbyists. It will grow up to at most 1.5 inches (4 centimeters). The Checker Barb is a schooling fish that is well suited to a community aquarium.

The name Checker Barb comes from the black marks on its side similar in appearance to those found on a checkerboard. The adult males have red fins with black tips. An egg-scattering fish, they spawn early in the morning on plants that are the center of the male's territory. Once the spawning is completed, the pair will attempt to eat the eggs that they can find.

Checker Barbs natively live in a tropical climate and prefer water with a 6.0 - 6.5 pH, a water hardness of 10.0 dGH, and a temperature range of 68-75 °F (20 - 24 °C). Their omnivorous diet consists of small worms, crustaceans, insects, and plants.

See also

• List of freshwater aquarium fish species

References

• "Barbus oligolepis" (TSN 163646) (http://www.itis.usda.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=163646). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. N.p.: Integrated Taxonomic Information System, 2004. Accessed on April 28, 2004.
• Lambert, Derek J (1997). Freshwater Aquarium Fish. Edison, New Jersey: Chartwell Books. pp. 15. ISBN 0-7858-0867-1.
• "Puntius oligolepis (http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.cfm?ID=4763)". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. April 2004 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2004.