Snakeskin barb (Desmopuntius rhomboocellatus) care guide

Group
Freshwater fish
Other names
Snakeskin barb, Puntius rhomboocellatus, Barbus rhomboocellatus, Barbus kahajani
Family
Cyprinidae (Smiliogastrinae, small barbs)
Origin
Endemic to southern Borneo (West and Central Kalimantan, Indonesia), including the Kapuas, Barito and Kahayan systems; peat swamps and blackwater streams.
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
5.5 cm
Temperature
20–28°C
pH
4–7
Hardness
Very soft to soft, 1–5 dGH
Minimum tank
72 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
peaceful

Care

The snakeskin barb is a small, peaceful shoaling fish and should be kept in a group of at least 8–10. Kept singly or in pairs it tends to be shy and pale. A tank with a base of at least 80 × 30 cm (around 72 litres) is a sensible minimum. In the wild it lives in brown-stained peat swamps and slow blackwater streams, so a heavily planted or forest-stream style set-up with a soft substrate, dim lighting, roots, branches and leaf litter suits it. Java fern (Microsorum), Java moss (Taxiphyllum) and Cryptocoryne do well in these conditions. Filtration need not be strong. Aim for soft, acidic to neutral water: about 20–28 °C, pH 4–7 and 1–5 dGH. Its natural water is extremely acidic (around pH 3–4), so wild-caught fish in particular appreciate very soft water and some leaf litter or peat. The common name comes from the dark, ring-like rhomboid markings on its golden-brown flanks, which look a little like snakeskin; juveniles show the dark bars typical of the genus. Adult males are slightly smaller, noticeably slimmer and more intensely coloured than females, which are deeper-bodied, especially when full of eggs. The species was moved from Puntius into Desmopuntius in 2013 and is still often sold as Puntius rhomboocellatus. It is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN (assessed 2020). Sources: Seriously Fish (seriouslyfish.com/species/desmopuntius-rhomboocellatus/); FishBase (fishbase.se/summary/Desmopuntius-rhomboocellatus.html); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desmopuntiusrhomboocellatus). Checked October 2026.

Diet

A micropredator that feeds on small insects, worms and crustaceans in the wild. It accepts small dried foods, but give small live or frozen foods such as Daphnia and Artemia regularly as well for the best colour and condition.

Breeding

An egg-scatterer with no parental care that often spawns in a mature, well-planted tank. For a planned spawning, condition the adults with live and frozen food and move them to a dimly lit tank whose base is covered with mesh (so eggs fall through out of the parents' reach) or filled with fine-leaved plants or spawning mops. Use slightly acidic water towards the top of the temperature range, with gentle aeration, and remove the adults afterwards. The eggs hatch in 24–36 hours and the fry swim freely 3–4 days later. Feed infusoria first, then microworm and newly hatched brine shrimp.

Compatibility and tank mates

Best with other calm South-East Asian fish that like soft, acidic water: similar-sized peaceful barbs and rasboras, small loaches such as kuhli loaches, and gentle gouramis. Avoid boisterous or greedy tankmates that will outcompete it for food.

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

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