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Barb

Barbus Barbus

Last updated: February 1, 2021
Verified by: AZ Animals Staff
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There are over 2,000 known species!

Continue Reading after the facts...


Barb Scientific Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Actinopterygii
Order
Cypriniformes
Family
Cyprinidae
Genus
Barbus
Scientific Name
Barbus Barbus

Barb Conservation Status

  • Least Concern

Barb Locations

  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Eurasia
  • South-America
Barb Locations

Barb Facts

Main Prey
Fish, Shrimp, Algae
Distinctive Feature
Easily adaptable and rows of teeth
Water Type
  • Fresh
Optimum pH Level
6.0 - 7.5
Habitat
Slow flowing rivers and lagoons
Predators
Fish, Birds, Reptiles
Diet
Omnivore
Favorite Food
Fish
Common Name
Barb
Average Clutch Size
1500
Slogan
There are over 2,000 known species!

Barb Physical Characteristics

Colour
  • Yellow
  • Red
  • Black
  • White
  • Orange
  • Silver
Skin Type
Scales
Lifespan
3 - 7 years
Length
2.5cm - 7cm (1in - 3in)

Barb Images

Click through all of our Barb images in the gallery.

View all of the Barb images!




Barb are a small sized group of fish that are naturally found in the freshwater rivers and lakes across the southern hemisphere. There are over 2,000 known species of barb in the world inhabiting the freshwater regions of Asia, Africa and South America.

The barb fish is often referred to as a freshwater shark, due to the fact that barb are one of the few species of freshwater fish to have rows of teeth in their mouths. Despite their small size, barbs are known to be ferocious hunters and are dominant predators in the world of small fish in their natural environment. Barb do only prey upon the fish that are smaller than them, but also on medium sized fish that can sometimes be double the size of the barb.

Due to their small size and bright colours, barb are commonly kept in household aquariums worldwide. The most common barb kept in aquariums are the cherry barb (pink/red in colour) and the tiger barb (silver body with thick, black stripes and red fin on its belly).

Barb are known to be relatively hardy fish and can easily adapt to changes in the water including changes in pH levels and temperate. It is known that barbs can successfully inhabit unheated tanks, and although this has proved to be successful in many cases, it is not recommended as barb are naturally found in warmer tropical waters.

Due to their aggressive and dominant nature, it is not ideal to keep barbs in artificial tanks with smaller species of tropical fish. At the same time, barb will also hunt medium sized fish if there is a lack of food, and so are best kept on their own (just barbs) or with much larger species of fish.

Barbs are known to lay numerous eggs in order for a few to hatch successfully. The baby barb are called fry and generally hatch within a few days of being laid. Like their hardy barb parents, the barb fry are able to adapt well to changes in their surroundings.

Barbs are opportunists and will therefore eat almost anything that they can find. Although barbs prefer a predominantly meat based diet that includes smaller fish, insects and bloodworm, barb are also known to eat aquatic plants particularly those that are softer and therefore easier to ingest. The exact diet of the barb however, depends on the species and the region in which it inhabits.

View all 81 animals that start with B


Barb FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

Are Barbs herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores?

Barbs are Omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and other animals.

What Kingdom do Barbs belong to?

Barbs belong to the Kingdom Animalia.

What phylum do Barbs belong to?

Barbs belong to the phylum Chordata.

What class do Barbs belong to?

Barbs belong to the class Actinopterygii.

What family do Barbs belong to?

Barbs belong to the family Cyprinidae.

What order do Barbs belong to?

Barbs belong to the order Cypriniformes.

What genus do Barbs belong to?

Barbs belong to the genus Barbus.

What type of covering do Barbs have?

Barbs are covered in Scales.

In what type of habitat do Barbs live?

Barbs live in slow flowing rivers and lagoons.

What is the main prey for Barbs?

Barbs prey on fish, shrimp, and algae.

What are some predators of Barbs?

Predators of Barbs include fish, birds, and reptiles.

What are some distinguishing features of Barbs?

Barbs are easily adaptable and have rows of teeth.

What is the average clutch size of a Barb?

Barbs typically lay 1,500 eggs.

What is an interesting fact about Barbs?

There are over 2,000 known species of Barb!

What is the scientific name for the Barb?

The scientific name for the Barb is Barbus Barbus.

What is the lifespan of a Barb?

Barbs can live for 3 to 7 years.

What is the lifespan of a Barb?

Barbs can live for 3 to 7 years.

What is the optimal pH for a Barb?

The optimal pH for a Barb is between 6.0 and 7.5.

How to say Barb in ...
Catalan
Barb comú
German
Barbe
English
Barbel
Croatian
Mrena
Dutch
Barbeel
Sources
  1. David Burnie, Dorling Kindersley (2011) Animal, The Definitive Visual Guide To The World's Wildlife
  2. Tom Jackson, Lorenz Books (2007) The World Encyclopedia Of Animals
  3. David Burnie, Kingfisher (2011) The Kingfisher Animal Encyclopedia
  4. Richard Mackay, University of California Press (2009) The Atlas Of Endangered Species
  5. David Burnie, Dorling Kindersley (2008) Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Animals
  6. Dorling Kindersley (2006) Dorling Kindersley Encyclopedia Of Animals

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