Hampala Barb

About

Hampala barb (Hampala macrolepidota) is one of those species where the honest advice is to think very carefully before acquiring one. Native to the Mekong and Chao Phraya river systems, the Malay Peninsula, and parts of Indonesia, this is a large, fast-moving, pelagic predator that regularly exceeds two feet in length and can weigh over five kilograms in the wild. It's identified by a bold dark vertical bar running down from just ahead of the dorsal fin, plus distinct black margins along both lobes of the caudal fin. Markings that do fade in very large individuals. In rivers and reservoirs, adults feed heavily on other fish, though aquatic insects can make up a significant portion of the diet depending on location. The species is migratory and favors clear, flowing water with sandy or muddy substrates. In an aquarium context, it's a shoaling fish that needs to be kept in groups of five or more. Smaller groups lead to the subordinate fish taking a beating. It's not aggressive toward anything it can't eat, but its speed and feeding intensity means timid or slow companions will struggle. Large, similarly-sized cyprinids and catfishes are the sensible tankmates. Most hobbyists would do better seeking out the smaller relative H. dispar instead.