Jae Barb

A rare, delicate African barb, with red and dark marks on the male, and also sold as the Charcoal Barb. Its colour forms should not be mixed, and it needs cool, soft water.

Check the scientific name when buying, as common names vary between sellers and countries.

Mature females are usually rounder in the belly, and males are usually slimmer and often brighter.

A long tank with open swimming water, plants around the edges and steady filtration suits this fish. A darker substrate and some floating plants usually bring out its colour.

Active and social, and most settled when kept with its own kind.

Keep a group of at least 6, and more if you can. Larger groups are calmer and show better colour and behaviour.

Not territorial, although males may spar and display.

Suits a community of similar-sized, peaceful fish that like the same water. Avoid large predators, which will treat it as food. It may eat baby shrimp. Choose its tankmates with care.

Needs soft, acidic water. This fish prefers cooler water than most tropical fish, and it may not need a heater in a warm room.

A shy, tiny barb from soft water that prefers small live and frozen foods such as cyclops and baby brine shrimp.

Feed small amounts, and remove anything left after a few minutes.

An egg scatterer with no parental care. Adults eat eggs and fry, so use a separate tank with fine plants, moss or mesh on the bottom, and remove the adults after spawning. The fry need very small foods at first.