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Maximum size : 5 cm
Drape Fin Barb - Oreichthys crenuchoides : Complete Fish Profile & Care Guide
Table of contents
Introduction
The Drape Fin Barb, (Oreichthys crenuchoides) is a fascinating and captivating fish species that can add a lot of excitement and beauty to an aquarium. While they are peaceful and active, these Barbs require a bit more attention and care than some other fish species, making them better suited for experienced aquarists. When kept in groups of at least eight, Drape Fin Barbs will display mesmerizing sparring behaviour as they establish their hierarchy. They prefer to be kept with other small, peaceful fish species such as micro Rasboras, Tetras, and Dwarf Gouramis, but should not be housed with larger, more aggressive fish that may intimidate them. In the aquarium, it is essential to maintain ideal water conditions with neutral, slightly alkaline water and moderate hardness. These Barbs also require aquatic vegetation, soft substrate, and a relatively slow water flow to thrive. Adding floating plants and dried leaf litter can help create a natural feel to the aquarium and provide a comfortable environment for the fish. The silver bodies with prominent scales of Drape Fin Barbs are stunning, and the large black blotch on their caudal fin adds a unique touch. The males have black splashes scattered throughout their dorsal fins, while the females have a yellow dorsal fin with a black blotch on the tip. All other fins are transparent. In conclusion, Drape Fin Barbs are a stunning and fascinating species that can bring beauty and diversity to any aquarium.Drape Fin Barb Photos
Sexual Dimorphism
The sexual dimorphism of the Drape Fin Barb is easily identifiable. Males display a distinctively longer dorsal fin, which hangs over their caudal fin, in contrast to the shorter dorsal fin of the female. Moreover, males showcase a more vivid and pronounced coloration, as well as a larger size, compared to the females. On the other hand, females have a less flamboyant appearance, a smaller and rounder dorsal fin, a slightly smaller body, and take on a fuller shape when they are gravid. Quick Facts
| Scientific Name | Oreichthys crenuchoides |
|---|---|
| Year Described | 2009 |
| Other Names | Indian high fin Barb, Drape Finned Barb |
| Classification | Actinopterygii |
| Order | Cypriniformes |
| Family | Cyprinidae |
| Genus | Oreichthys |
| Origins | India |
| Max Size | 5 cm |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Aquarium Level | Middle - Top |
| Difficulty | Intermediate |
| Shoaling | Yes |
| Best kept as | Groups 5+ |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Reproduction | Egg-Scatterer |
| Lifespan | 3 - 4 years |
Water Parameters
| Water Type | Freshwater |
|---|---|
| PH | 6.5 - 7.5 |
| GH | 2 - 8 |
| KH | unknow |
| TDS | 50 - 180 |
| ℉ | 72 - 82 |
|---|---|
| ℃ | 22.2 - 27.8 |
Natural Habitat
Drape Fin Barbs are exclusively found in three rivers located in West Bengal, India. The Jorai River, the Brahmaputra River, and the Ganges in the Cooch Behar district, which border Bangladesh and Assam. Additionally, in the sub-division of Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri district, you can also find these Barbs at the Buxa Tiger Reserve. Drape Fin Barbs typically occupy clear, slow-moving waters with muddy substrates and abundant aquatic plants. These features provide the perfect environment for the fish to feed, shelter, rest, and hide. Adding Drape Fin Barbs to your aquarium is an excellent way to showcase their unique beauty and contribute to their conservation efforts. So why wait? Explore the wonders of Drape Fin Barbs and bring a touch of West Bengal into your home today!\r\n
Brahmaputra River - China
Ganges River - India
Breeding
Drape Fin Barbs are fascinating egg scatterers that exhibit no parental care. In a mature aquarium, small numbers of fry may begin to appear without intervention when the fish are in breeding condition and laying a few eggs daily. However, if you wish to increase your fry yield, a more controlled approach will be necessary. Select one or two pairs and house them in a separate breeding tank, equipped with spawning mops or broad-leaved plants such as Anubias. The female will lay many eggs on the underside of broad plant leaves or solid surfaces while swimming in an inverted position. The pair can remain in the breeding tank for two to three days, but it is essential to remove them promptly when the first eggs begin to hatch; otherwise, they will consume the fry. Eggs typically hatch within 48 to 72 hours, depending on the water temperature, and the fry will feed on their yolk sacs for approximately five days. It is recommended to provide them with Paramecium or other microscopic foods for a week or until they are big enough to consume microworm and baby brine shrimp.Diet & feeding
The Drape Fin Barb is an omnivore and will readily accept a range of high-quality dry foods such as flakes and micro pellets. However, it is recommended to diversify their diet with live, frozen, or freeze-dried food, such as bloodworm, brine shrimp, or daphnia, to provide essential nutrients and support their overall health and vibrant coloration. These barbs also have small sensory barbels beneath their jaw, which they will use to scavenge for leftover food, ensuring no morsels go to waste.Frequently asked questions
Unfortunately, Drape Fin Barbs are unsuitable for most community aquariums as they may be outcompeted for food or intimidated by more boisterous, larger tankmates. However, small, peaceful Cyprinids such as Boraras or Trigonostigma species, as well as many South American Characins, would make ideal tankmates for Drape Fin Barbs.
Although Drape Fin Barbs are sociable species by nature, they are a shoaling species rather than schooling fish that develop distinct pecking orders. Rival males will display some impressive sparring behaviour in captivity. It would be best if you kept drape Fin Barbs in groups of 8 or more individuals; however, the aquarium should be designed so that you provide many broken lines of sight. If you keep them on their own, in a very small group, or in crowded conditions, they can become withdrawn, and subdominant fish may bully them regularly.
Drape Fin Barbs will accept good-quality dried foods such as flakes or micropellets of a suitable size; however, you should not feed them this exclusively. It would be better to offer your fish daily meals of small live and frozen fares such as artemia, daphnia and mosquito larvae; this will result in the best colouration and health and will encourage your fish to get into breeding condition. You should note that Drape Fin Barbs are shy, reluctant feeders.
Drape Fin Barbs usually reach lengths of up to 5 cm in the aquarium, with the males growing slightly larger than the females.
Drapefin Barbs need a relatively good-sized aquarium, so 75 litres would suffice. The substrate needs to be softer to mimic the rivers muddy bottom, so using sand or very fine gravel would be ideal. You should also use several large leaves on the bottom and have several driftwood pieces mixed in with plants. You could also combine some floating plants to reduce the lighting in your tank. The flow of water does not need to be great and will depend on your filter choice. However, you must remember these Barbs need pristine water, so bear that in mind when choosing your filter. Lastly, the water temperature needs to be between 73 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit and the pH level should be between 6.0 and 7.5.
Drape Fin Barbs are endemic to the tributaries of the Brahmaputra River in West Bengal state, in eastern India. This species comes from the Jorai River near the border of Assam, but they have also been collected elsewhere, including the Ghoti Ganga River, in the Cooch Behar district. Drape Fin Barbs are also known to be found in the Buxa Tiger Reserve, a forested area in the sub-division of Alipurduar in the Jalpaiguri district. These fish inhabit slow-flowing, clear waters with a muddy substrate.
