Blue Spotted Hill Trout (Barilius bakeri)
The Blue Spotted Hill Trout, Barilius bakeri is unsuitable for the general community aquarium, mainly because of its environmental demands and because it is a swift swimmer and vigorous feeder that will outdo and intimidate slower and less assertive species at feeding times. In addition, it would help to exclude much smaller fish as they may predate them.
These fish do best with similarly-sized, robust, and competitive cyprinid tankmates.
The Blue Spotted Hill Trout is unsuitable for the beginner aquarist because they are intolerant of organic waste accumulation and require pristine water. They will also fair better if there is a moderate degree of water movement and a high dissolved oxygen balance.
Photos
Quick Facts | |
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Scientific Name | Barilius bakeri |
Other Names | Royal Danio, Blue-dotted Mirror Fish |
Classification | Actinopterygii |
Order | Cypriniformes |
Family | Cyprinidae |
Genus | Barilius |
Origins | India |
Temperament | Semi-Aggressive |
Aquarium Level | Middle - Top |
Difficulty | Intermediate - Advanced |
Shoaling | Yes |
Best kept as | Groups 5+ |
Diet | Omnivore |
Reproduction | Egg-Scatterer |
Lifespan | up to 10 years |
Water Parameters | |
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Water Type | Freshwater |
PH | 6.0 - 7.5 |
GH | 2 - 10 |
TDS | 18 - 179 |
Temperature | |
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64 - 79℉ 17.8 - 26.1℃ |
Feeding
In the home aquarium, the Blue Spotted Hill Trout will readily accept most good quality dried foods such as granules, flakes and sinking pellets. These modern food products have been developed to provide all adequate nutrition to maintain your fish's health and dietary requirements.
Providing additional foodstuffs such as live, frozen, and freeze-dried meals such as bloodworm, daphnia, and tubifex once or twice a week will provide additional benefits to your fish's health and well-being but is not a must for this fish.
It should be noted that bloodworms should only be given as an occasional treat and should not be used as the staple diet as they are difficult for fish to digest and can potentially cause blockages.
This fish is an omnivore in the wild, meaning it will consume some vegetable matter. Although most modern fish foods take this into account and include them in their products, you can still supplement your fish's diet with blanched vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, and zucchini. Ensure you do not overfeed your fish and remove any leftovers the following day.
Tank Mates
2 interesting tank mate ideas for the Blue Spotted Hill Trout could include:
Sexual Dimorphism
As far as the Blue Spotted Hill Trout is concerned, its sexes can be readily distinguished. A female's body is generally thicker and not as vividly coloured as a male's, especially when carrying eggs. Males, however, develop tubercules on their heads when courting, and their lower bodies are orange in colour.
Frequently asked questions
Are Blue Spotted Hill trouts a shoaling fish?
Can you house Blue Spotted Hill trouts in a community tank?
What does the Blue Spotted Hill Trout look like?
What should I feed my Blue Spotted Hill Trouts?
You may also give them fruit flies and small crickets, provided they are gut-loaded before use.