Clown Barb

 Quick Care Facts

• Care Level: Easy   • Temperament: Peaceful   • Maximum Size: 6"
• Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons   • Water Conditions: 75-85° F, KH 2-10, pH 6.0-7.0
• Diet: Omnivore   • Origin: Southeast Asia, Malaysia, Indonesia   • Family: Cyprinidae
• Species: Barbs   • Aquarium Type: Community

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Clown Barbs (Puntius everetti) originate from the streams and tributaries of Malaysia, Borneo and Indonesia, where they inhabit the heavily vegetated streams that are common throughout the tropical jungles of the region. They are a schooling species that swim in large groups to help protect themselves from larger predatory fish species.

They are accustomed to living in groups and will nip at each other as they swim about as a form of communication and awareness of their school mates. While the Clown Barb is perfectly OK with this behavior and not adversely effected, other more docile fish species may find this behavior stressful. This behavior is not a problem if they are kept in groups of 6 or more individuals as the barbs will nip amongst themselves and leave other tank mates alone.

Overall the Clown Barb is a very undemanding species that will readily adjust to a fairly wide range of foods, water conditions and tank mates. Ideally they should be housed in peaceful community aquariums with other community fish that are similar in size and disposition to themselves. Aquariums that replicate their natural environment both in decor and water conditions are also ideal.

Make sure to have plenty of plants in the aquarium and areas of diffused lighting either via tall plants, floating plants or large pieces of driftwood. Clown Barbs will often nibble on a variety of plant species, thus they do best in planted aquariums with fast growing and hardy plant species. Quality filtration and additional internal water flow via a powerhead or canister spray bar is recommended, as this will more closely emulate their natural habitat.

In the wild the Clown Barb will consume a mix of plant and animal based foods ranging from algae to worms, insects and small crustaceans. In order to provide them with a balanced nutritional diet, the aquarium hobbyist should make sure that they have a mixture of both plant and meaty based foods in their diet.

They are not picky eaters and will readily consume a large variety of commercially available foods including: high quality flake, small pellet foods, frozen foods, freeze-dried worms, bloodworms, tubifex worms, brine shrimp and other similar foodstuffs.

While commercial dry foods are more than enough to provide the Clown Barb a quality staple diet, foods like frozen krill, brine shrimp and blood worms will bring out their best possible coloration. Most hobbyists mix in the more expensive live and frozen foods twice a week and use quality dry commercial foods the rest of the time.