Clown Barb Breeding Guide

Breeding Barbodes everetti, a large Bornean egg-scattering barb in which males develop spawning tubercles and parents eat the eggs.

Overview

Barbodes everetti is a large barb from Borneo. According to Seriously Fish it is an egg-scattering free spawner with no parental care; small numbers of fry may appear in an established aquarium, but controlled breeding needs a dedicated tank. Its size means a comparatively large spawning setup is required.

Sexing

Males develop a more intense colour pattern and show noticeable breeding tubercles on the head when in spawning condition. Females grow larger, are heavier-bodied and less colourful.

Conditioning

Condition the adult group together on a varied diet of live, frozen and good dried foods until the females fill with eggs and the males develop their head tubercles.

Breeding Setup

Provide a separate breeding tank around 80 by 30 cm filled with mature water and dimly lit. Use a mesh base so the eggs drop through out of the adults' reach, or fine-leaved plants such as Taxiphyllum species or spawning mops. Add an air-powered sponge filter or air stone. Keep the pH slightly acidic to neutral and the temperature toward the upper end of the range.

Spawning Behavior & Trigger

When the females appear gravid, introduce one or two pairs; spawning should take place the following morning. The adults will eat the eggs if given the chance and should be removed as soon as spawning is complete.

Egg & Fry Care

Eggs hatch in about 24 to 48 hours and the fry are free-swimming roughly 24 hours later. Feed an infusoria-grade food for the first few days, then microworm, Artemia nauplii and similar foods as the fry grow.

Common Challenges

The large adult size demands a roomy spawning tank, and egg predation by the parents makes prompt removal essential. Stable, mature water in the rearing tank helps the fry through their early days.