Red-cheeked barbus

Red-cheeked barb, scientific name Systomus orphoides, belongs to Cyprinidae (Cyprinidae). Outwardly, it is almost identical to its closest relative, the Olive barb (Systomus sarana), so both species are often supplied under the same name, any of which can be conditionally considered collective.

Habitat

The natural habitat extends over vast expanses from the eastern regions of the Indian subcontinent, throughout Southeast Asia to peninsular Malaysia and the Greater Sunda Islands.

They inhabit the main channels of rivers and numerous tributaries. They prefer to stay in regions with calm water, backwaters. During the rainy season, they swim to spawn in flooded areas of tropical forests. They are also found in regions with a moderate current.

Description

Given such a vast habitat, there are geographical forms that differ somewhat in color and body pattern.

A typical representative of the species is a fish 20–25 cm in size with a massive, strong body. The color is gray or dark silver. There is red pigmentation on the head (on the operculum) and fins. The edges of the tail are black.

During the spawning period, males have noticeable tubercles on their heads. Females, in turn, seem somewhat larger.

Behavior and Compatibility

In nature, red-cheeked Barbs live in packs. In a home aquarium, it is also recommended to maintain a group size of 6 individuals. In this case, the fish concentrate their attention on relatives in an effort to maintain the established hierarchical position in the group and do not pay attention to other neighbors in the aquarium. With a smaller number, aggression towards smaller fish is possible.

Brief information:

• The volume of the aquarium – from 500 liters.
• Temperature – 18-26°C
• Value pH — 6.0–7.5
• Water hardness – soft to hard (2-21 dGH)
• Substrate type – any
• Lighting – moderate
• Brackish water – no
• Water movement – light or moderate
• The size of the fish is up to 25 cm.
• Food – any food
• Temperament – conditionally peaceful
• Keeping in a group of 6-8 individuals

Maintenance and care, arrangement of the aquarium

The optimal size of the aquarium for a group of 6-8 individuals starts from 500 liters. The design is arbitrary and is selected at the discretion of the aquarist or based on the needs of other fish. It is desirable to provide free areas for swimming in the water column or near the surface.

For long-term keeping, it is important to provide clean, oxygen-rich water and maintain temperatures in the 18-26°C range. They successfully adapt to various conditions in terms of the hydrochemical composition of water. The presence of an internal flow is welcome. The latter can be achieved by installing a productive filtration system.

Food

Omnivorous species. In the wild, both small invertebrates and plant foods form the basis of the daily diet. In aquariums, it is permissible to use popular dry food in the form of flakes and granules. Live food will also be a good addition.