Snakeskin Barb

The Snakeskin Barb can add a lot of action to your freshwater aquarium – especially when kept in schools of six or more. Unlike other Barbs, however, these fish are not as bullish and most fair well in community aquariums with similarly sized, short-fin fish. They also grow to about 2 inches, unlike some barbs that quickly grow to a fairly large size. These fish are orange/red in color with deep green body splotches to give this beautiful specimen its “snakeskin” designation.

Native to the blackwaters of Borneo, Indonesia, Snakeskin Barbs prefer soft, acidic aquarium water of the highest quality. A small school of this fish is a spectacular addition to any planted aquarium. Here, they will school in shaded areas, dart amongst plant stalks, and cruise the mid-level regions of your aquarium.

As in other barb species, female Snakeskin Barbs are fuller bodied than males. Successful breeding requires strict attention to water softness and acidity, best obtained via peat filtration. Classified as omnivores, Snakeskin Barbs benefit from varied diets of flake, pellet, and small frozen foods, such as mosquito larvae, daphnia, and brine shrimp.