Clown barb (Barbodes everetti) care guide

Group
Freshwater fish
Other names
Everett's barb
Family
Cyprinidae (Smiliogastrinae)
Origin
Borneo (Sarawak and West Kalimantan), possibly also Sumatra and the Natuna Islands; clear forest streams in the foothills and shallow forest pools.
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
12 cm
Temperature
18–28°C
pH
6–7
Hardness
Soft, 2–10 dGH
Minimum tank
162 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
peaceful

Care

The clown barb is a large, peaceful barb that needs a roomy tank and very clean water. It is a shoaling fish, so keep a group of at least six; in smaller numbers it becomes skittish and may squabble. A tank with a base of at least 120 × 45 cm (around 162 litres) is a sensible minimum. Set the tank up like a forest stream, with water-worn rocks of different sizes, sand and fine gravel, and driftwood roots or branches. Tough plants such as Java fern, Bolbitis and Anubias tied to the decor do well. Provide moderate flow and plenty of oxygen, with a filter that turns the tank volume over four to five times an hour. Keep the water at about 18–28 °C, pH 6–7 and soft. It comes from very clean streams and does not tolerate a build-up of waste, so weekly water changes of 30–50% should be routine. It is orange-gold to pinkish with large, dark blue-black blotches on the body and reddish fins. Males are more intensely coloured and grow small tubercles on the head when breeding; females are larger and paler. The similar Barbodes dunckeri has bigger body blotches; the clown barb is told apart by a dark blotch at the rear base of the dorsal fin and by its scale count. The IUCN lists it as Least Concern, though wild numbers are thought to be falling because of habitat loss, pollution and collection for the aquarium trade. Most fish on sale are farm-bred. Sources: Seriously Fish (seriouslyfish.com/species/barbodes-everetti/); FishBase (fishbase.se/summary/Barbodes-everetti.html); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clownbarb). Checked October 2026.

Diet

An omnivore that forages for worms, insects, small crustaceans, plant matter and other organic debris. Feed a good-quality flake or granule with some plant content as the staple, plus regular live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, Daphnia, brine shrimp and mysis for the best colour and condition.

Breeding

An egg-scatterer that gives no parental care and will eat its eggs. Use a separate spawning tank of about 80 × 30 cm with mature, slightly acidic to neutral water warmed to around 28 °C, and cover the base with mesh that lets the eggs fall through but keeps the adults out (fine-leaved plants or moss also work). Add a well-conditioned pair or small group; males colour up strongly and develop head tubercles. Remove the adults after spawning. The eggs hatch in 24–48 hours and the fry swim freely about a day later. Start them on infusoria-sized foods, then move on to microworm and newly hatched brine shrimp.

Compatibility and tank mates

Peaceful and suits a community of stream fish in a big tank. Good companions are similar-sized peaceful cyprinids such as larger danios, other medium-sized barbs and rasboras, loaches, and peaceful catfish. Avoid fish small enough to be eaten, and very slow or long-finned species that may be outcompeted for food.

Last updated 5 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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