Chinese barb
Barbodes semifasciolatus
- Tank length
- 36 cm14 in
- Group
- 6+
- Temperature
- 18–26 °C64–79 °F
- pH
- 6–8
- Adult size
- 6 cm2 in
- Lifespan
- 4–6 yrs
A hardy subtropical barb that tolerates cooler rooms; keep a group of six or more to curb mild nipping.A hardy subtropical barb that tolerates cooler rooms; keep a group of six or more to curb mild nipping.
Tank sizes
Good tankmates
Avoid with
- Blue lyretail
Chinese barb may nip Blue lyretailChinese barb may nip Blue lyretail
Congo tetraChinese barb may nip Congo tetraChinese barb may nip Congo tetra
- Featherfin squeaker
Chinese barb may nip Featherfin squeakerChinese barb may nip Featherfin squeaker
- Filament barb
Chinese barb may nip Filament barbChinese barb may nip Filament barb
- Guppy
Chinese barb may nip GuppyChinese barb may nip Guppy
- Irian Jaya rainbowfish
No shared temperature rangeNo shared temperature range
Pearl gouramiChinese barb may nip Pearl gouramiChinese barb may nip Pearl gourami
Threadfin rainbowfishChinese barb may nip Threadfin rainbowfishChinese barb may nip Threadfin rainbowfish
- African knifefish
African knifefish may eat Chinese barbAfrican knifefish may eat Chinese barb
- African pike
African pike may eat Chinese barbAfrican pike may eat Chinese barb
- Alligator gar
Alligator gar may eat Chinese barbAlligator gar may eat Chinese barb
- Altum angelfish
No shared temperature rangeNo shared temperature range
Data used by the planner
| Temperature | 18–26 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04; agrees with FishBase (fishbase.se), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium confidence |
|---|---|---|
| pH | 6–8 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04; agrees with FishBase (fishbase.se), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium confidence |
| Hardness (dGH) | 5–19 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04; agrees with FishBase (fishbase.se), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium confidence |
| Origin | Southern China and northern Vietnam | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence |
| Beginner friendly | Yes | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Care level | easy | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Activity | active | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Swimming level | middle | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Temperament | peaceful | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Nips fins | Yes | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Long fins | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Territorial | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Lives in groups | Yes | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Minimum group | 6 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Diet | omnivore | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Lifespan (years) | 4–6 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence |
| Months to adult size | 6 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence |
| Safe with plants | Yes | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |