Family: Cyprinidae
Gigi Barbel — a Cyprinidae from Japan, calm bottom-dweller; may prey on very small fish. Reaches 15–30 cm; shoaling; keep in groups of 6 or more. 10–24 °C.
Hemibarbus barbus, a member of the family Cyprinidae, comes from Japan, where it inhabits clear streams and rivers over gravel. Calm bottom-dweller; may prey on very small fish and omnivore; prepared foods with regular vegetable matter, it grows to 15–30 cm and adapts well to a properly set-up aquarium in the 10–24 °C range. Other Hemibarbus species in our database include Hemibarbus labeo, Hemibarbus maculatus, Hemibarbus umbrifer.
Difficulty: moderate. Calm bottom-dweller; may prey on very small fish. Shoaling; keep in groups of 6 or more.
Hold 10–24 °C and keep it stable — 10–24 °C curated husbandry range. Unheated for temperate species.
Expect 15–30 cm as an adult, living bottom-dwelling. A 250 L tank or larger gives it room.
Omnivore; prepared foods with regular vegetable matter. Vary the menu — quality flakes or pellets plus frozen or live foods.
Calm bottom-dweller; may prey on very small fish; shoaling; keep in groups of 6 or more. Good company: Similar-sized peaceful community fish — Similar size and water needs. Keep away from Much smaller fish — May outcompete or bully tiny tankmates.
Native to Japan, where it lives in clear streams and rivers over gravel. Moderate, well-oxygenated current; Appreciates well-oxygenated water.
Jumping is not a known issue; cover the tank anyway during water changes.
In the aquarium: egg-scatterer; no parental care. Males often slimmer and more colourful.