T-Barb (Spanner Barb) Care Guide
Barbodes lateristriga is a large Southeast Asian barb with a T-shaped marking, boisterous as an adult and best kept with robust tankmates.
Overview
Barbodes lateristriga, the T-barb or spanner barb, is a large cyprinid from Southeast Asia named for the T-shaped dark marking on its flank. Juveniles are peaceful and form aggregations, while mature individuals become more solitary and boisterous. It was formerly classified as Puntius lateristriga and is listed by FishBase under the synonym Striuntius lateristriga.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cyprinidae
- Genus: Barbodes
- Scientific name: Barbodes lateristriga
- Synonyms: Puntius lateristriga, Striuntius lateristriga
Habitat
According to Seriously Fish, the species occurs in southern (peninsular) Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and Java; FishBase gives the broader range of the Malay Peninsula to Borneo. It inhabits clear forest streams strewn with smooth, water-worn rocks and boulders, often in pools at the base of waterfalls.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 250 L
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 5-15 °dGH
- School size: 6 or more when young
- Lifespan: 5-8 years
Diet
The species is an omnivore. In the wild it forages on diatoms and algae and also takes worms, crustaceans and insects (FishBase). In the aquarium it accepts good-quality dried foods with plant content alongside live and frozen items such as bloodworm, Daphnia and Artemia.
Compatibility
Adults are quite boisterous and can intimidate less robust species; Seriously Fish notes mature males may become solitary and belligerent. It is best housed in spacious tanks with other robust cyprinids of similar size, and very small fish should be avoided.
Breeding
Barbodes lateristriga is an egg-scattering free spawner with no parental care. According to Seriously Fish, eggs hatch in 24-36 hours and fry become free-swimming after three to four days; a dimly lit spawning tank with fine-leaved plants or mesh helps protect the eggs.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2019), per FishBase.