Saddle Barb

About

A small-stream cyprinid from the lowlands and foothills of Malaysia and Indonesia, Barbodes banksi is one of those species that turns up in the hobby more by accident than design. Most specimens enter the trade as bycatch tucked inside shipments of commoner fish. It belongs to a genus that was reshuffled out of the old catch-all Puntius grouping, and its own species boundaries are still a little fuzzy: some researchers suspect it may simply be a colour variant of the closely related B. binotatus rather than a fully distinct species. The feature that separates the two is a dark, wedge-shaped marking on each flank just below the dorsal fin. Sometimes appearing as a vertical bar in juveniles, occasionally persisting in that form into adulthood. In the aquarium, this is a relaxed, active fish that does best in groups of six or more, where individuals become noticeably bolder and any minor squabbling stays contained within the group's social order. It suits a peaceful riverine community alongside similar-sized cyprinids and botiid or nemacheilid loaches, provided tankmates are confident enough not to be unnerved by its energy levels. Clear, well-oxygenated water and a planted setup will keep it comfortable, and its undemanding diet makes it a reasonable choice for less experienced keepers who can actually track one down.