Barbatula toni

Family: Nemacheilidae

Barbatula toni — a Nemacheilidae from Korean Peninsula, mostly peaceful; keep away from slow eaters at feeding time. Reaches 14.9–21.8 cm; gregarious bottom fish; 5 or more recommended. 18–26 °C.

Care parameters

Water temperature: 18–26 °C
pH: 6.5–7.5
GH hardness: 5–15 dGH
Adult length: 14.9–21.8 cm
Minimum tank: 500 L
Water layer: Bottom-dwelling
Difficulty: Moderate
Temperament: Mostly peaceful; keep away from slow eaters at feeding time
Origin: Korean Peninsula

Species overview

Barbatula toni is a Nemacheilidae from Korean Peninsula. In the wild it prefers hill-streams and riffles over pebbles; in the aquarium it stays mostly peaceful. Plan on 14.9–21.8 cm of adult fish at 18–26 °C. Related profiles: Barbatula nuda.

Native biotope

Habitat: Hill-streams and riffles over pebbles
Flow: Strong, well-oxygenated current
Dissolved O₂: Requires well-oxygenated water

Aquascape & hardware

Substrate: Smooth pebbles and coarse sand
Hardscape: Stacked stones forming crevices
Plants: Anubias and other hardy attachers

Temperament, diet & tankmates

Schooling: Gregarious bottom fish; 5 or more recommended
Diet: Unfussy omnivore; feed sinking foods after lights dim
Recommended tankmates: Small calm cyprinids — Occupy a different water layer
Avoid keeping with: Large predators — Loaches are on the menu

Breeding & notes

Sexual dimorphism: Females rounder-bodied
Breeding method: Egg-scatterer; no parental care

Frequently asked questions

Is Barbatula toni easy to keep?

Intermediate difficulty. Mostly peaceful; keep away from slow eaters at feeding time; gregarious bottom fish; 5 or more recommended.

What temperature and water chemistry does Barbatula toni need?

Set the heater to 18–26 °C and avoid swings. pH 6.5–7.5, GH 5–15 dGH suit it.

How big does Barbatula toni get, and what tank size?

Full size is 14.9–21.8 cm. Minimum tank: 500 L, with open swimming space along its bottom-dwelling habits.

What does Barbatula toni eat?

Unfussy omnivore; feed sinking foods after lights dim. It forages naturally over smooth pebbles and coarse sand, so let some food reach the bottom.

Can Barbatula toni live with other fish?

Mostly peaceful; keep away from slow eaters at feeding time; gregarious bottom fish; 5 or more recommended. Good company: Small calm cyprinids — Occupy a different water layer. Keep away from Large predators — Loaches are on the menu.

Where does Barbatula toni come from?

Comes from Korean Peninsula: hill-streams and riffles over pebbles. Expect strong, well-oxygenated current and requires well-oxygenated water.

How does Barbatula toni breed?

Egg-scatterer; no parental care. Females rounder-bodied.