Pentazona Barb (Desmopuntius Pentazona)
Quite rare in the aquarium trade, the Pentazona Barb, Desmopuntius Pentazona, is a small attractive non-aggressive, peaceful and active schooling fish. These Barbs make excellent additions to a community aquarium.
Keeping Pentazona Barbs with similar-sized and temperamental fish would be best. It is possible to keep Guppies, Endlers, Mollies, Micro Rasboras, and smaller varieties of Tetras in the aquarium with these fish. Keeping them with boisterous fish, however, will result in them becoming timid and withdrawn.
In the wild, Pentazona Barbs inhabit heavily vegetated ditches, ponds, and streams with calm waters. It is therefore important that the aquarium emulates these conditions and provides plenty of plant cover and gentle water circulation for the fish. Additionally, dark substrates, driftwood, and rocks will enhance the fish's beautiful coloration.
A Pentazona Barb's body is orange-yellow with five black vertical bars. The first bar is across the eye, the second bar is behind the gill opening, the third bar is around the dorsal fin, a fourth bar near the anal fin, and the fifth bar is in the middle of the caudal peduncle. Lastly, at the posterior base of the dorsal fin, they have a small dark marking.
Photos
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Desmopuntius Pentazona |
| Year Described | 1894 |
| Other Names | Five-Banded Barb, Banded Barb, Fiveband Barb |
| Classification | Actinopterygii |
| Order | Cypriniformes |
| Family | Cyprinidae |
| Genus | Desmopuntius |
| Origins | Malaysia |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Aquarium Level | Middle - Top |
| Difficulty | Beginner - Intermediate |
| Shoaling | Yes |
| Best kept as | Groups 6+ |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Reproduction | Egg-Scatterer |
| Lifespan | 5 - 8 years |
| Water Parameters | |
|---|---|
| Water Type | Freshwater |
| PH | 4.5 - 6.5 |
| GH | 5 - 12 |
| Temperature | |
|---|---|
| 74 - 84℉ 23.3 - 28.9℃ | |
Feeding
In the home aquarium, the Pentazona Barb 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
3 interesting tank mate ideas for the Pentazona Barb could include:
Sexual Dimorphism
Pentazona Barbs can be differentiated easily between males and females. Compared to females, adult males tend to be slightly smaller, noticeably thinner, and exhibit more intense colouration.