Family: Cyprinidae
Bonylip Barb — a Cyprinidae from China and Indonesia. Reaches 24–35.2 cm; keep at 22–26 °C.
Osteochilus vittatus, a member of the family Cyprinidae, comes from China and Indonesia, where it inhabits clear streams and rivers over gravel. Mostly peaceful; some species nip fins and omnivore; prepared foods with regular vegetable matter, it grows to 24–35.2 cm and adapts well to a properly set-up aquarium in the 22–26 °C range. Other Osteochilus species in our database include Osteochilus salsburyi, Osteochilus bleekeri, Osteochilus kelabau.
Intermediate difficulty. Mostly peaceful; some species nip fins; shoaling; keep in groups of 6 or more.
Set the heater to 22–26 °C and avoid swings. pH 6.5–7, GH 5–8 dGH suit it.
Adults reach 24–35.2 cm; it is bottom-dwelling. Plan for at least 500 litres.
Omnivore; prepared foods with regular vegetable matter. Feed two small meals a day rather than one large one.
Mostly peaceful; some species nip fins; 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 China and Indonesia, where it lives in clear streams and rivers over gravel. Moderate, well-oxygenated current; Appreciates well-oxygenated water.
Low escape risk, but a lid is cheap insurance.
In the aquarium: egg-scatterer; no parental care. Males often slimmer and more colourful.