Striped barb (Desmopuntius johorensis) care guide

Group
Freshwater fish
Other names
Striped barb, Puntius johorensis, Puntius eugrammus, Barbus tetrazona johorensis
Family
Cyprinidae (Smiliogastrinae, small barbs)
Origin
Southern Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Sumatra and Borneo; peat swamps, blackwater streams, ditches and shallow forest rivers.
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
10 cm
Temperature
20–25°C
pH
5–7
Hardness
Soft, 1–10 dGH
Minimum tank
162 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
peaceful

Care

The striped barb is a larger relative of the five-banded barb and a schooling fish that should be kept in a group of at least 8–10. In a good-sized group it is less nervous and shows better colour. Because it grows to about 10 cm, give it a tank with a base of at least 120 × 45 cm (around 162 litres). It comes from peat swamps and blackwater streams, so a heavily planted or forest-stream style tank suits it: a soft substrate, dim lighting, roots, branches and leaf litter, with plants such as Java fern (Microsorum), Java moss (Taxiphyllum) and Cryptocoryne. Leave open swimming space along the front. Keep it in soft, slightly acidic to neutral water: about 20–25 °C, pH 5–7 and 1–10 dGH. Young fish show four dark vertical bars like other Desmopuntius, but by about 3–4 cm long these change into five or six bold horizontal black stripes on a golden body, which makes adults easy to recognise. Similar striped species include D. gemellus and D. trifasciatus, which are sometimes mixed up with it in the trade. Adult males are slightly smaller, slimmer and more colourful than females. The species was moved from Puntius into Desmopuntius in 2013, and it is still often sold as Puntius johorensis. It is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN (assessed 2019). Sources: Seriously Fish (seriouslyfish.com/species/desmopuntius-johorensis/); FishBase (fishbase.se/summary/Desmopuntius-johorensis.html); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desmopuntiusjohorensis). Checked October 2026.

Diet

In the wild it forages on algae, diatoms, detritus, small insects, worms, crustaceans and zooplankton. In the aquarium offer a varied mix of good dried flakes or granules that include some plant matter, plus small live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, Daphnia and Artemia.

Breeding

An egg-scatterer with no parental care that spawns readily when well conditioned. Set up a separate, dimly lit spawning tank with a mesh base (so eggs fall out of reach of the adults) or plenty of fine-leaved plants or spawning mops, with soft, slightly acidic water at the warm end of the range. Add a well-fed pair or small group and remove them once eggs are seen. In the wild it is reported to spawn in very shallow water. The eggs hatch in 24–36 hours and the fry swim freely 3–4 days later. Start them on infusoria-sized foods, then microworm and newly hatched brine shrimp.

Compatibility and tank mates

A peaceful fish for a South-East Asian community of similar-sized, soft-water species: other Desmopuntius such as the five-banded barb, rasboras, small loaches and gentle gouramis. Avoid very boisterous or aggressive fish, and very small fish that could be outcompeted at feeding time.

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

About Aquatic-Auctions

  • Aquatic-Auctions (aquatic-auctions.com) is a UK online marketplace for aquarium and pond livestock and equipment: tropical and marine fish, corals, shrimp, snails and other invertebrates, aquatic plants, tanks, filtration, lighting and food.
  • Items are sold by auction, buy it now or classified advert, by hobbyist and business sellers in the UK.
  • Buyers pay sellers directly; Aquatic-Auctions does not hold the money. Hobbyist sellers can only take PayPal or cash on collection. Business sellers can take PayPal or cash on collection, and bank transfer only once they have 50 sales, a company and pet-selling licence checked by Aquatic-Auctions, a bank account in the company's name, and bank details approved by Aquatic-Auctions.
  • Buyers are told to pay by PayPal Goods & Services, never PayPal Friends and Family, gift cards or crypto.
  • Live fish and other vertebrates must be sent by specialist live-animal couriers (for example APC Overnight or DX Express), never by Royal Mail. Some invertebrates and plants may go by Royal Mail Special Delivery or 1st Class within its rules.
  • Banned and invasive species (for example those on the GB invasive species lists) cannot be listed, and sellers must meet the site’s animal welfare standards.
  • Members must be 16 or over to buy (16 and 17-year-olds with a parent or guardian’s agreement); sellers must be 18 or over.
  • Business sellers show their address, company details and pet-selling licence to buyers. Seller ratings run from 0 to 100: +1 for each positive feedback, −1 for each negative.
  • The site includes a free community species wiki with care guides (water parameters, tank size, diet, temperament, breeding).
  • Aquatic-Auctions is run by Etavonni Tech Limited trading as Aquatic-Auctions (company number 10204188), Aldershot, Hampshire, UK. Contact: [email protected].