Bitterling barb - Puntius (Barbus) titteya - DNZ / strong coloration

Since the times of the Spanish Civil War , the bitterling barb, Puntius titteya, has been one of the fish that have always been part of the standard repertoire of the aquarium trade. Even as a "long-established beginner'sfish", however, it has lost none of its charm and, due to its simplicity, is a welcome first fish that is also sometimes forgiving of mistakes. Originally, the bitterling barb was native to low-flow forest streams on the island of Sri Lanka. Due to increasing destruction of their habitats, their free-living population is now considered endangered. However, since it can be bred with a little skill, the animals offered in the trade are offspring.

Bitterling barbs have a yellow ground color, which turns reddish to red with increasing age, whereby the males shine clearly more intensively. A black longitudinal band extends from the mouth over the eye to the caudal fin root, which becomes paler with age. There are two barbels on the terminal mouth. The eye may also have a red iris, and the top of the head sometimes has a gray coloration.

Bitterling barbs are peaceful fish that like to live in groups and are easy to socialize. They are not territorial and do not tend to constantly rearrange their home.

On the basis of their colorfulness, the males can already be easily distinguished from the females. The latter appear basically more colorless and plump. Juveniles are difficult to distinguish from each other, as they also appear rather yellowish with red fin attachments. Males become particularly fiery red at mating time, including all fins.

If one wishes to actively breed bitterling barbs , they should be fed very well for several days and then transferred to a rearing aquarium that has very soft water, as well as spawning substrate in the form of java moss . After about three days, the breeding pair is returned. Depending on the age and size of the female, up to 280 eggs are laid. After another day, the larvae hatch and feed on their yolk sac for three more days before they can swim freely and be fed slipper l izards and Artemia nauplii.

The aquarium of the bitterling barbs should contain at least 54 liters and have both free swimming zones and dense planting in places, since the small fish are not only good distance swimmers, but also need retreats from time to time. The bottom composition plays a rather subordinate role and can be adapted to the by-fish, but should have hiding places, otherwise the bitterling barb appears shy. Concerning the water values it is tolerant, but prefers rather soft water with a total hardness of 2-20° dGH, a KH between 6-15° dKH, a pH value of 6,5-7, as well as a temperature between 20 and 28° C.

Bitterling barbs can be socialized with other peaceful smaller fish. However, large and hectic fish cause it fear, so it becomes very shy and begins to care. Being omnivorous, she is interested in anything that moves in any way and could possibly fit in her small snout, so dwarf shrimp are rather unsuitable for socialization, but dwarf crayfish pose no danger. Even though bitterling barbs are peaceful in and of themselves, the males may quarrel, especially during mating season, but only react to their conspecifics.

As an omnivore, the bitterling barb will accept almost any food offered to it and can be fed dry food and flake food, but live food and frozen food such as mosquito larvae, cyclops, daphnia, artemia and tubifex may also enhance its diet. Usually it does not nibble on plants.

Our food recommendation: NatureHolic professional main feed is a professional main feed for all aquarium fish. We supply Hauptfeed in the form of soft granules, which, thanks to its grain size of half a millimeter, can be easily ingested by small to medium-sized fish. The soft consistency resembles the texture of insect larvae in nature and protects the fish mouth from micro-injuries.

Our plant recommendation: Use for planting NatureHolic InVitros. These are free of snails, planarians and other unwanted co-inhabitants. Also free of algae spores, bacteria and fungi.

Expert Tip: We recommend for fish keeping the NatureHolic 3 Phase Liquid. The care set offers the best all-round protection for your animals. It ensures optimal conditions for successful breeding and keeping.