Tank setup
A minimum 60L aquarium suits Five-banded Barb. Provide hiding spots and stable water — this species thrives in a well-filtered community setup.
Where to buy
Compare prices from SA aquarium shops listing Five-banded Barb.
Community Marketplace
Fellow hobbyists may also be selling Five-banded Barb.
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Overview
What to know before you buy.
Often confused with the Tiger Barb, the Five-banded Barb is a more peaceful and smaller alternative, making it better suited for a wider range of community tanks. As its name suggests, it has five distinct black vertical bands on a reddish-brown to orange body. They are relatively shy and appreciate a well-planted aquarium with dim lighting and gentle water flow, which mimics their natural blackwater stream habitats. They are a great choice for aquarists who love the striped look of a Tiger Barb but need a more peaceful schooling fish.
Key traits
barb
peaceful
nano
community
small
blackwater
schooling
omnivore
breeds in captivity
Compatibility
Select a tank to see how this species fits.
Care guide
Everything you need to keep Five-banded Barb healthy in a South African setup.
Water parameters
Keep pH 5–7 and 22–26°C. Stable parameters matter more than chasing perfect numbers — acclimate new arrivals slowly.
Feeding
Five-banded Barb is omnivore. Feed a varied diet appropriate for freshwater fish — quality flakes, pellets, or frozen foods sized to the mouth.
Behaviour
Five-banded Barb is generally peaceful. Keep in a group where possible for natural behaviour.
Tankmates
Pair with similarly sized peaceful tankmates in freshwater fish. Avoid fin-nippers or species that outgrow this fish.
Breeding
Breeding notes for Five-banded Barb vary by line and water chemistry — ask your local shop about proven pairs in SA.
Settling this fish in?
Condition the tap water, seed the filter, test through the first weeks — most early losses trace back to one of those.
3-PIECE KIT
Availability confirmed with the distributor before dispatch · free delivery over r750
Community photos
From hobbyists across SA.
Photo by FishHubAdmin
Market intelligence
Price trends and buyer demand — data only FishHub tracks.
Price tracking started 18 Jul 2026 — chart builds as listings are updated
Demand by province
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Often kept with
Real pairwise verdicts for Five-banded Barb, not a same-category guess. Always confirm adult size and your tank's specifics before buying.
- Often kept together
Pristella Tetra
Pristella maxillaris
In a 60L+ tank
- Often kept together
Black Ruby Barb
Pethia nigrofasciata
In a 75L+ tank
- Often kept together
Giant Gourami
Osphronemus goramy
In a 1000L+ tank
- Often kept together
Crystal Black Shrimp
Caridina cantonensis var. 'Crystal Black'
In a 60L+ tank
- Often kept together
Corydoras Julii
Corydoras julii
In a 60L+ tank
- Often kept together
Red-bellied Pacu
Piaractus brachypomus
In a 1500L+ tank
- Often kept together
Orange Sakura Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi var. 'Orange Sakura'
In a 60L+ tank
- Often kept together
Black Phantom Tetra
Hyphessobrycon megalopterus
In a 60L+ tank