Threespot barb (Barbus trimaculatus)

Scientific name: Barbus trimaculatus Peters, 1852

The Threespot barb (Barbus trimaculatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 24–26°C (75–79°F).

Threespot barb care at a glance

Temperature: 24–26°C (75–79°F)

Biology

Found in shallow water near river outlets or close to swampy areas. Hardy, commonly occurs in a wide variety of habitats, especially where there is vegetation. Feeds on insects and other small organisms. Used as bait for the tigerfish. Breeds in summer, shoals of ripe adults moving upstream in spate after rain. Females produce as many as 8,000 eggs.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Barbus trimaculatus
Family: Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps)
Order: Cypriniformes (Carps)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 15.0
Environment: Freshwater; benthopelagic; potamodromous
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Africa: Zambezi River system, Lake Ngami and Cubango rivers; Lake Malawi and the Ruo River; Lake Bangweulu and associated Comati and Vaal Rivers systems; Kunene and Cubango Rivers. East coast from Ruvuma, Tanzania to Umvoti, Natal, also Orange, Cunene and Zambian Congo systems.
Conservation status (IUCN): Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Aquarium: commercial; bait: usually
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K=1.40)