Checkered barb
Oliotius oligolepis
The checkered barb (Oliotius oligolepis), also called checker or island barb, is a small, generally peaceful shoaling fish from Sumatra. The species was often placed in Puntius in older literature; current taxonomic sources consulted use Oliotius oligolepis. Seriously Fish reports 45 mm standard length and recommends an aquarium with a 75 × 30 cm base, about 68 litres. Keep at least six fish, preferably a shoal of six to ten. Reliable information about its natural habitat is limited, so a detailed biotope claim would not be justified.
Plan your aquarium →At a glance
- Temperature
- 18–25 °C
- pH
- 5.5–7.5
- GH
- 2–12 °dGH
- Aquarium length
- At least 75 cm
- Minimum aquarium volume
- At least 68 L
- Adult size
- Up to 4.5 cm
- Group size
- At least 6–10 individuals
- Temperament
- Peaceful
About this species
Oliotius oligolepis was originally described as Capoeta oligolepis and is also known as Puntius oligolepis. The consulted catalog treats Oliotius oligolepis (Bleeker, 1853) as the valid combination. Its checkered common name refers to the scale pattern. The fish is commercially farmed in large numbers; wild examples are rarely available. It should not be confused with other fishes sharing the epithet oligolepis.Natural habitat
The species appears endemic to western central Sumatra, Indonesia, but its full distribution is incompletely known. The specialist profile says detailed habitat information is missing. Therefore, no precise claims are made about natural flow, water chemistry, substrate or vegetation. Stable water quality, cover and swimming room are practical aquarium choices, but this does not prove that any particular layout exactly reproduces its natural habitat.Aquarium and layout
Provide at least a 75 × 30 cm base and about 68 litres. Keep at least six fish; six to ten is a useful shoal size. Leave open swimming room with overhanging or floating plants and, if desired, wood for shelter. The species appreciates a well-decorated aquarium. Mature filtration and stable water quality are essential. Because this barb is small, very large or strongly predatory tankmates are unsuitable.Water conditions
Seriously Fish recommends 18–25 °C, pH 5.5–7.5 and GH 2–12 dGH. Treat these as practical aquarium ranges, not a reason to change water abruptly. Stability, good water quality and gradual acclimation matter. Information about the natural habitat is limited, so these aquarium figures should not be presented as precise field measurements. Choose tankmates that also suit its temperature and activity.Behaviour and group size
The checkered barb is generally peaceful and should be kept in a group of at least six, preferably six to ten. A proper shoal can reduce skittishness and support natural behaviour. Select tankmates by adult size, swimming zone, activity and feeding access. Very large fish may treat small barbs as prey; fast or dominant fish can outcompete them. No individually verified species pairs are linked here, so compatibility is not inferred from overlapping water values alone.Feeding
Its natural diet is probably omnivorous, consisting mainly of aquatic invertebrates with smaller amounts of plant matter and organic detritus. The source describes this diet as probable, so that uncertainty is retained. Offer small portions of complete fine flakes or granules as the staple, with suitable small frozen or live foods such as Daphnia or Artemia for variety. Feed a varied diet without replacing complete food with a single supplement.Breeding
The checkered barb is an egg-scattering free spawner with no parental care. A mature aquarium may produce occasional fry, but adults may eat eggs. For deliberate breeding, use a separate dimly lit tank with an egg grid, marbles, fine-leaved plants or spawning mops. Remove adults after spawning. Seriously Fish reports hatching in 24–48 hours and free swimming about a day later; begin with infusoria-grade food.Suitable products
Recommended staple foods
Tropical Supervit Basic 100ml
Complete fine flakes as daily staple for a small omnivorous barb.
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Tropical Dafnia 100ml
Daphnia as small supplementary variety alongside complete food.
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Sources & review
This care guide draws on several specialist sources and was last checked on .