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Live fish will be delivered only to selected pincodes in Kolkata and nearby areas.
Here's a complete guide to the Checker Barb (Oliotius oligolepis), a small, peaceful, and attractive freshwater fish known for its unique checkerboard-like pattern:
🐟 BASIC OVERVIEW
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Checker Barb, Checkerboard Barb, Island Barb |
| Scientific Name | Oliotius oligolepis |
| Former Genus | Puntius oligolepis (old classification) |
| Family | Cyprinidae (carps and minnows) |
| Origin | Indonesia – Sumatra and nearby islands |
| Size | 4–5 cm (1.5–2 inches) |
| Lifespan | 3–5 years |
| Temperament | Peaceful, active |
| Care Level | Easy |
🌿 NATURAL HABITAT
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Found in slow-moving streams, ditches, and forest pools with sandy or muddy bottoms.
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Lives in areas with plenty of plants, leaf litter, and soft acidic water.
🧬 PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
| Trait | Description |
|---|---|
| Body Shape | Small, torpedo-shaped |
| Color | Silver to pale gold base color |
| Markings | Black checkerboard spots on the sides (distinct pattern) |
| Fins | Transparent with black edging; males may show red tint |
| Sex Differences | Males are smaller, slimmer, and more colorful |
💧 WATER PARAMETERS
| Parameter | Ideal Range |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 22–28°C (72–82°F) |
| pH | 6.0–7.5 |
| Hardness | 5–12 dGH |
| Tank Size | Minimum 15–20 gallons for a group |
Checker Barbs are best kept in groups of at least 6 to reduce stress and show natural behavior.
🍽️ DIET
| Food Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Flake/Pellets | High-quality tropical or micro pellets |
| Live/Frozen | Brine shrimp, daphnia, mosquito larvae, bloodworms |
| Vegetable Matter | Blanched spinach, zucchini, spirulina-based foods |
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Omnivorous and not picky eaters.
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A varied diet brings out their colors and health.
🐠 TANKMATES & COMPATIBILITY
| Compatible Tankmates | Avoid |
|---|---|
| Tetras, rasboras, corydoras, danios | Large/aggressive fish |
| Small peaceful gouramis | Fin-nippers or very active barbs |
| Shrimp (if the tank is planted well) | Fish that might bully or outcompete |
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Very peaceful; good for community tanks.
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Avoid mixing with fin-nipping species or very large tankmates.
🛠️ TANK SETUP
| Element | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Substrate | Dark sand or fine gravel |
| Plants | Dense planting preferred (Java fern, Anubias, Hornwort) |
| Decor | Rocks, driftwood, leaf litter for natural look |
| Filtration | Gentle filter (like sponge or hang-on-back) |
| Lighting | Low to moderate (shows off their iridescence well) |
| Water Flow | Gentle—mimics natural slow-moving streams |
🐣 BREEDING
| Trait | Details |
|---|---|
| Breeding Type | Egg scatterer |
| Spawning Behavior | Males chase females and scatter eggs in plants |
| Breeding Setup | Separate tank with fine-leaved plants or spawning mops |
| Egg Care | Adults may eat the eggs—remove after spawning |
| Hatch Time | 24–48 hours |
| Fry Diet | Infusoria, micro worms, baby brine shrimp |
🧠 FUN FACTS
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Checker Barbs are one of the few barbs that stay small, making them ideal for nano tanks.
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Despite being barbs, they are less aggressive and fin-nippy than species like Tiger Barbs.
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Their striking black "checker" pattern earned them their common name.
✅ SUMMARY – WHY KEEP CHECKER BARBS?
| Advantage | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Compact size | Great for small or mid-sized aquariums |
| Peaceful nature | Ideal for community tanks |
| Hardy and adaptable | Beginner-friendly |
| Colorful | Beautiful checkerboard pattern |
| Easy to breed | Simple setup, prolific spawners |
Would you like help creating a compatible community tank with Checker Barbs, or a breeding setup?
To avail free shipping, purchase amount should be Rs350/-(for Aquarium Accessories and Aquatic Plants) or more, less than the above amount shipping charges applicable Rs70/- only. For live fish delivery charges applicable at the time of checkout.
Orders are normally Shipped within 1-2 days and usually take 2-5 working days to be delivered based on your location. However, you will receive an approximate timeline when you place your order.
To ensure that your order reaches you quickly and in good condition, we only ship through reputed courier agencies.
