Checker barb
Puntius oligolepis
- Tank length
- 60 cm24 in
- Group
- 6+
- Temperature
- 23–27 °C73–81 °F
- pH
- 6–8
- Adult size
- 4 cm2 in
- Lifespan
- 3–6 yrs
Use plants to break up short display chases.Use plants to break up short display chases.
Tank sizes
Good tankmates
Avoid with
- African knifefish
African knifefish may eat Checker barbAfrican knifefish may eat Checker barb
- African pike
African pike may eat Checker barbAfrican pike may eat Checker barb
- Alligator gar
Alligator gar may eat Checker barbAlligator gar may eat Checker barb
- Antenna ray
Antenna ray may eat Checker barbAntenna ray may eat Checker barb
- Arapaima
Arapaima may eat Checker barbArapaima may eat Checker barb
- Arrowhead puffer
Arrowhead puffer may eat Checker barbArrowhead puffer may eat Checker barb
- Asian arowana
Asian arowana may eat Checker barbAsian arowana may eat Checker barb
- Asian upside-down catfish
Asian upside down catfish may eat Checker barbAsian upside down catfish may eat Checker barb
- Australian pearl arowana
Australian pearl arowana may eat Checker barbAustralian pearl arowana may eat Checker barb
- Barred bichir
Barred bichir may eat Checker barbBarred bichir may eat Checker barb
- Black bullhead
Black bullhead may eat Checker barbBlack bullhead may eat Checker barb
- Black diamond cichlid
Black diamond cichlid may eat Checker barbBlack diamond cichlid may eat Checker barb
Data used by the planner
| Temperature | 23–27 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · low confidence |
|---|---|---|
| pH | 6–8 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · low confidence |
| Hardness (dGH) | 5–15 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium confidence |
| Origin | Asia or captive aquarium strains | 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 | moderate | 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 | No | 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) | 3–6 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence |
| Months to adult size | 12 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence |
| Safe with plants | Yes | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Minimum tank length | 60 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |