Johor Barb Breeding Guide

Breeding Desmopuntius johorensis, a slim striped soft-water barb that is an egg-scattering free spawner with no parental care.

Overview

Desmopuntius johorensis is a slim, striped barb from the Malay region. Seriously Fish describes it as an egg-scattering free spawner with no parental care. It comes from soft, acidic waters, which should be reflected in the spawning setup.

Sexing

Males are noticeably smaller and slimmer than females and show more intense colouration. Females are fuller-bodied, especially when in spawning condition.

Conditioning

Condition the adults together on a varied diet of small live, frozen and dried foods until the females are clearly gravid, which is the signal to set up spawning.

Breeding Setup

Prepare a separate, very dimly lit tank with mature water. Cover the base with mesh, plastic grass matting or glass marbles so the eggs fall through out of the adults' reach, or use fine-leaved plants such as Taxiphyllum species or spawning mops. Add an air-powered sponge filter or air stone. Keep the water slightly acidic to neutral and the temperature toward the upper end of the range.

Spawning Behavior & Trigger

Introduce one or two pairs when the females appear gravid; spawning should take place the following morning. Alternatively spawn a group of about half a dozen of each sex. The adults will consume eggs if given the chance and should be removed immediately.

Egg & Fry Care

Eggs hatch in about 24 to 36 hours, and the fry are free-swimming after roughly 3 to 4 days. Feed an infusoria-grade food for the first few days, then microworm, Artemia nauplii and similar foods.

Common Challenges

Soft, stable water suits this species, and getting the chemistry right aids spawning. As with related barbs, the parents readily eat their eggs, so prompt removal is essential.