Kooli Barb

About

Sometimes sold under the informal name 'kooli barb', this small cyprinid from Pakistan, India, and Sri Lanka is one of those quietly charming fish that rewards patience. Puntius vittatus turns up in a wide range of habitats across its range. Ponds, slow streams, lakes on the plains, and frequently rice paddies, even occasionally wandering into brackish water. It is a compact species, rarely exceeding two inches, and can be identified by a few reliable field marks: no barbels, an incomplete lateral line with only a handful of pored scales, a black streak and tip on the dorsal fin with some orange coloration, and a dark spot where the body meets the tail. In the aquarium it is thoroughly peaceful and mixes well with similarly-sized open-water cyprinids, as well as loaches and algae-grazing benthic species like Crossocheilus or Garra. As with most schooling barbs, a group of eight or more makes a real difference. Males in competition with one another show their best color and become genuinely interesting to watch. Puntius vittatus is a forgiving choice for newer keepers who want an active, sociable fish that won't cause trouble with its tankmates. It will also graze filamentous algae as part of its diet, which is a practical bonus in a planted setup.