Spanner Barb

Spanner Barbs are omnivores that thrive on a varied diet of high-quality flake foods, small pellets, and regular supplements of frozen foods like brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms. Feed once daily in amounts they can consume within 2-3 minutes. Occasional vegetable matter such as blanched spinach or algae wafers supports digestive health.

Spanner Barbs are peaceful, active schooling fish that prefer to swim in groups of at least 5 individuals, displaying more natural behavior and reduced stress when kept together. They occupy the mid-water column and are generally non-aggressive toward other community fish, though they may occasionally nip at slow-moving or long-finned species. They are moderately active during daylight hours and appreciate open swimming space with some planted areas for refuge.

Breeding Spanner Barbs in captivity is possible but requires specific conditions including slightly acidic water (pH 6.0-6.5), temperatures around 26-27°C, and dense vegetation or spawning mops for egg adhesion. Condition breeding pairs with live foods for 1-2 weeks before spawning, then separate them after eggs are laid as parents may consume fry. Fry are small and require infusoria or liquid fry food initially before graduating to micro pellets.