Redfin River Barb

About

Found in the black-water rivers of Kalimantan in southern Borneo, Cyclocheilichthys janthochir is an unusual cyprinid that turns up only sporadically in the hobby. Sometimes as deliberate stock in specialist shops, sometimes as a surprise in wild-caught shipments from the region. It's worth seeking out. The species is readily told apart from its close relatives by a combination of red pigmentation in the dorsal and caudal fins and a bold dark stripe running along the flank, making identification fairly straightforward once you know what to look for. In the wild it haunts acidic, tannin-stained waters where aquatic insects make up the bulk of its diet, so the aquarium should reflect those soft, low-pH conditions. This is a sociable fish that genuinely does better in a group of six or more. Colours deepen, nervousness drops, and the overall behaviour reads as far more natural. It grows large enough to be intimidating to smaller or more timid tankmates purely through its size, so companions should be chosen with that in mind. Robust cyprinids, loaches, larger characins, and catfish are all reasonable choices. Despite its size and carnivorous appetite it is considered peaceful and manageable enough for a beginner willing to provide the space it needs. Captive breeding has not been recorded.