Five Banded Barb

🐟 Five Banded Barb (Five-banded Barb)

Add bold pattern and lively movement to your aquarium with the striking Five Banded Barb. Known for its five distinct vertical black bands over a warm golden-orange body, this species offers a more refined and peaceful alternative to the Tiger Barb while still delivering energy and visual impact.

Active, social, and beautifully patterned, Five Banded Barbs are ideal for aquarists looking for a dynamic schooling fish that complements planted aquariums.

🌿 Why Choose Five Banded Barbs?

⚫ Five bold vertical black bands
🟠 Warm golden to orange body colour
🐟 Active and engaging schooling behaviour
🌿 Great for planted and natural aquascapes
⭐ More peaceful than Tiger Barbs

In a shoal, Five Banded Barbs create a lively, coordinated display as they move together through the midwater, their bands creating a striking visual rhythm.

📏 Care Requirements

🧬 Scientific Name: Desmopuntius pentazona
📛 Common Name: Five Banded Barb
🏠 Tank Size: 80L+ recommended
📏 Adult Size: ~5–6 cm
🌡️ Temperature: 24–28°C
⚗️ pH Range: 5.5–7.5
🧘 Temperament: Peaceful to semi-active
🍽️ Diet: Flakes, pellets, frozen and live foods
👥 Group Size: 6–10+ recommended

Five Banded Barbs thrive in stable aquariums with open swimming space, planted areas, and gentle to moderate water flow.

🐠 Compatibility

Suitable for peaceful to moderately active community aquariums. Ideal tank mates include tetras, rasboras, gouramis, and Corydoras. Generally less prone to fin-nipping than other barb species, but still best kept in groups.

⚠️ Important Notes

Keeping Five Banded Barbs in proper shoals helps reduce stress and any potential fin-nipping behaviour. They show their best colour and behaviour in well-maintained aquariums with stable water conditions and natural décor.

The Five Banded Barb is a fantastic choice for UK aquarists wanting a colourful, active schooling fish with bold patterning and a more peaceful temperament than typical barbs.