Drape Fin Barb (Oreichthys crenuchoides)
The Drape Fin barb got their name for their spectacular large dorsal fins of adult males. They are a small peaceful barb, hardy and active and also quite shy.
A group of this species makes for an impressive centrepiece for an aquascaped or planted aquarium.
There are only two species of this fish, Cosuatis and Parvus. cosuatis has a bigger dorsal fin, and often a black edge to the scales and parvus is more slender and elongated and less colourful.
The real cosuatis lacks the black spot on the caudal peduncle and is a much slimmer looking fish.
Drape fin barbs are quite sensitive, so water conditions need to be just right.
These particular species appear to do best in neutral, slightly alkaline water and moderate hardness with aquatic vegetation and woody structures.
Adding floating plants to reduce the light in the aquarium also seems to be appreciated.
Water flow should be relatively slow, and the substrate should be soft.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Oreichthys crenuchoides |
| Other Names | Indian high fin barb, Drape finned barb |
| Family | Cyprinidae |
| Genus | Oreichthys |
| Origins | India |
| 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 |
| Temperature | |
| 72 - 82℉ 22.2 - 27.8℃ | |
Natural Habitat
Drapefin barb species hail from the waters from the Jorai river, close to the border with Assam. Still, it's been collected elsewhere, including the Ghoti Ganga river, and the Cooch Behar district.
It's also known from the Buxa Tiger Reserve, a forested area in the sub-division of Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri district.
It is known to habituate slow-flowing open land rivers with muddy substrate containing quite clear water.
Other Barbs of interest
What to feed the Drape Fin Barb
The Drapefin Barb are not fussy and will eat all kinds of small dry foods such as flakes and micro pellets but will need to be supplemented with some good quality live food like bloodworm, brine shrimp or daphnia
these fish have small sensory barbells on the underside of the jaw which they will use when foraging, after all, they are timid so will miss out on the initial feeding.
How to Sex the Drape Fin Barb
The body shape of females is very different from the males.
Males develop a very long dorsal fin which drapes back over the tail fin whereas the females dorsal is smaller and more rounded. Also, males grow a little larger than females and exhibit stronger colouration on the body and fin.
How to Breed the Drape Fin Barb
Drapefin barbs are an egg-scattering, continuous spawner that exhibits no parental care.
While in spawning, Females will deposit a small number of her eggs daily onto the underside of broad plant leaves or other solid surfaces while swimming in an inverted position. You will see small numbers of fry appearing without needing intervention.