Cuming’s Barb – Barbus Cumingii

Common name: Cuming’s Barb

Scientific name:  Barbus Cumingii

Average Adult Fish Size: 2 inches (5cm)

Place of Origin: They are found in mountain streams in Sri Lanka

Typical Tank Setup: small species of fish which does well in community tanks especially if they are kept in a small shoal of around 6-8 and have open and planted areas to swim in.

Recommended Tank Size: 20 gallons

Compatibility: They do great in community tanks but prefer to be in shoals for comfort

Temperature: 22-27 degrees Celsius

Water Chemistry: pH of 7.0

Feeding: They will eat most fish flakes and small live food such as daphnia and bloodworms.

Sexing: Males are slightly slimmer and more colorful than females when breeding.

Breeding: As for breeding, this is an egg-scattering species with an appetite for its own eggs. it isn’t an easy fish to breed in home aquariums but success can be achieved once a compatible pair begin spawning.  Once eggs have been laid they should hatch in 24 – 48 hours with the fry free swimming around 24 hours later.