Overview

A small banded Bornean barb, reaching roughly 5–5.5cm. Fish sold as pentazona can be the closely related Desmopuntius hexazona; this listing retains the supplied identity.

Scientific name: Desmopuntius pentazona

Behaviour

Keep eight to ten together. This is a relatively shy barb rather than a boisterous tiger-barb substitute. A larger group helps timid individuals feed confidently.

Tank Size

Our recommended minimum is 80 litres with an 80 × 30cm base. Use 100 litres or more for a mixed community, with shaded planting and an open swimming area.

These are adult housing recommendations; choose more space when adding tank mates. Allow for space occupied by substrate and décor when comparing aquarium capacities.

Compatibility

Choose quiet soft-water fish, such as small rasboras. Avoid fast, pushy feeders and aggressive cichlids that prevent them eating.

Diet

Offer tiny sinking or slow-sinking pellets, fine flakes, daphnia and brine shrimp. Feed in more than one place if dominant fish gather at the front.

Care

• Temperature: 22–26°C
• pH: 5.0–7.0
• General hardness: 1–5 dGH

Provide driftwood, plants and subdued light. Strongly alkaline hard water is a poor long-term match. Observe feeding after introduction rather than assuming the shoal is finding enough food.

Add only to a fully cycled aquarium. Keep ammonia and nitrite at 0mg/l. Start with a 25–30% weekly water change using dechlorinated, temperature-matched water and adjust to test results and stocking. Rinse biological filter media in removed aquarium water rather than under the tap.

Live Animals Are Click and Collect Only. You can order online, choose click and collect, and we will hold your order for collection in store.