Pentazona Barb Care Guide
If you are looking for a colourful and peaceful fish for your community fish tank, the Pentazona Barb is an excellent choice. These attractive schooling fish are known for their bold black bands and calm temperament, making them ideal for planted community setups.
At Friendly Fish Aquatics in Harlow, Essex, we regularly stock Pentazona Barbs and have created this simple care guide to help you keep them healthy and thriving in your fish tank.
Pentazona Barb Quick Facts:
Scientific name: Desmopuntius pentazona / Desmopuntius hexazona
Common name: Pentazona Barb / Five Banded Barb
Adult size: Around 5 cm
Temperature: 22–26°C
Temperament: Peaceful
Group size: 6+, ideally 8+
Minimum aquarium: Around 80 cm long
Diet: Omnivore
Swimming area: Mainly middle levels
Community suitable: Yes
Beginner suitable: Yes
Overview
The Pentazona Barb, often called the Five Banded Barb, is a striking fish with bold black stripes and warm red orange tones. At first glance they look similar to the well known Tiger Barb, but their behaviour is very different.
Pentazona Barbs are far more peaceful and less aggressive, making them much better suited to a community fish tank.
Interestingly, many fish sold as Pentazona Barbs are actually a closely related species called the Six Banded Barb (Desmopuntius hexazona). The two species look extremely similar and share almost identical care requirements, so they are kept in the same way in the home fish tank.
Identification
The names suggest that one species has five stripes and the other six, but this is not the most reliable way to tell them apart.
A true Pentazona Barb has a small dark mark just below the base of the dorsal fin. This marking is usually absent in the Six-Banded Barb.
In reality, most fish available in the hobby tend to be the Six-Banded species, although the two look very similar once they have settled into a fish tank and coloured up properly.
Tank Size
Pentazona Barbs grow to around 5cm (2 inches) and are active swimmers.
A fish tank with a minimum length of around 80cm is recommended to give them enough space to swim and display their natural behaviour.
Because they are a schooling fish, they should always be kept in a group rather than individually. Larger groups help them feel more secure and will often bring out better colour and more natural behaviour.
Water Conditions
In the wild, these barbs come from peat swamp habitats in Southeast Asia, where the water is naturally soft and slightly acidic.
Typical care guidelines are:
Temperature: 22–26°C
pH: below 7 if possible
Water hardness: soft to moderate
The fish we sell have been gradually acclimatised to our local water conditions. This can make the transition into aquariums using similar local tap water easier than fish arriving directly from much softer water.
Adding driftwood, plants, or natural botanicals can still help create a more natural environment and may lightly tint the water, which these fish enjoy.
Natural Habitat
Pentazona and Six-Banded Barbs originate from parts of Indonesia, Borneo, Singapore and the Malay Peninsula.
They are typically found in slow-moving forest streams and peat swamps. These waters often contain leaf litter, wood, and tannins that give the water a darker colour.
Because of this, they tend to feel more comfortable in fish tanks that include plants, shaded areas, and natural decorations.
Setting Up the Fish Tank
A well-designed fish tank for Pentazona Barbs should include both open swimming space and planted areas.
They are slightly more timid than some other barb species and appreciate having places to hide if they feel startled.
Good plant choices include:
Cryptocoryne species
Java Fern
Anubias
Hygrophila
Limnophila
Driftwood and natural decorations can help recreate the look of their natural environment while also providing additional shelter.
Diet & Feeding
Pentazona Barbs are omnivores and should be offered a varied diet.
A good quality tropical flake or small pellet can form the basis of their diet, supplemented with foods such as frozen or live daphnia, brine shrimp and bloodworm.
Feeding a varied diet can help maintain good condition and bring out their natural colour. Feed small amounts that the fish can comfortably consume rather than allowing excess food to settle in the aquarium.
Tank Mates
Pentazona Barbs are generally excellent community fish and can live alongside many peaceful species.
Suitable tank mates include:
Rasboras and other small schooling fish
Kuhli Loaches
Peaceful Gourami species
Small tetras
Corydoras catfish
Otocinclus
Because they are calmer than Tiger Barbs, they are far less likely to cause problems with other fish in a community fish tank.
Behaviour and Group Size
Pentazona Barbs are schooling fish and should always be kept in groups.
A group of at least 6–8 fish is recommended, although larger groups often look more impressive and help the fish feel more secure.
When kept in the right environment, they are active and colourful fish that bring constant movement to a community fish tank.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pentazona Barbs
Are Pentazona Barbs aggressive?
No. Pentazona Barbs are considered peaceful compared to many other barb species. They are far less aggressive than Tiger Barbs and are generally suitable for community fish tanks.
How many Pentazona Barbs should be kept together?
They are schooling fish and should be kept in groups of at least 6, although larger groups often look better and help them feel more secure.
What size fish tank do Pentazona Barbs need?
A fish tank around 80cm long or larger is recommended so they have enough room to swim comfortably.
Can Pentazona Barbs live with tetras?
Yes. Many peaceful tetra species make excellent tank mates because they share similar water requirements and temperament.
Are Pentazona Barbs good for beginners?
Yes. When kept in a group and in a properly cycled fish tank, they can be a good choice for beginners looking for a peaceful community fish.
Our Fishkeeping Tip
We find Pentazona Barbs look and behave at their best when kept in a good-sized group. Although six is a sensible minimum, keeping eight or more where aquarium space allows can help them feel more secure, show more natural schooling behaviour and create a much more impressive display.
About Our Fish
Fish sold at Friendly Fish Aquatics go through our quarantine process before being offered for sale. Our tropical fish shop in Harlow has more than 100 aquariums with individually filtered sales tanks, and we specialise in tropical community fish.
Looking for Pentazona Barbs?
We regularly stock Pentazona Barbs at Friendly Fish Aquatics in Harlow, Essex. Our fish are quarantined and acclimatised to local water conditions before being offered for sale.
See our Pentazona Barbs currently in store, or visit us in Harlow for advice on whether they’re suitable for your aquarium.