Rhombus barb - Desmopuntius rhomboocellatus

The rhomboo barb, which belongs to the carp fishes, originates from Asia, where it occurs mainly in Borneo. Desmopuntius rhomboocellatus has several names, it is also sometimes called Barbus tetrazone, Barbus rhombo-ocellatus or Systomus rhomboocellatus. In its habitat it mainly inhabits densely weedy riparian areas in extremely acidic rainforest waters such as streams and rivers. It owes its German name to the rhombic horizontal stripes that adorn its body.

Rhombus barbs are high-backed with flat sides and often red flanks. Their lateral line is straight. They exhibited a terminal mouth with two pairs of barbels. In the basic color they shimmer pastel, the upper back is slightly darker and yellowish, the belly usually light. Several transverse bands adorn their bodies, the first extending vertically over the rather large eye. The others form rhombic patterns with some glossy scales. The yellowish fin color fades into translucent from the base of the body to the tips of the fins. The first fin ray of the dorsal fin is also brown-black, and there is also a dark spot behind it. The pectoral fins are transparent. The females differ from the males mainly by their body fullness, also they are not quite as colorful. They reach a body length of up to 8 centimeters, whereas the males usually stay a bit smaller.

The pretty rhombus barbs can also be bred in the aquarium. For this purpose a separate spawning aqu arium should be used, which has both soft water with about 27-28 °C, but is also well aerated. To stimulate the spawning readiness of the breeding animals, they should be fed with live food several times a day. As free spawners the females lay their spawn between water plants, where it is inseminated by the males directly after laying. A planting with fine-feathered plants like Java moss is therefore advantageous.  After spawning the animals should be removed from the rearing aquarium. After about 2-3 days the young hatch, which feed on their yolk sac at the beginning for about 3-4  days and can then be fed with very fine live food such as Artemia euplii or infusoria, but also slipper animals.

Rhombus barbs are sociable, but also somewhat reserved comrades, which you should therefore better maintain with 10 animals in a shoal, so that they can live out their great social behavior and not care. If they feel well, they show above all their whole color splendor. At least 80 centimeters edge length may have the aquarium and a good infrastructure as also in their habitat. For this above all Roots and smaller stone structures with perching plants like Anubias, Java fern or also Bucephlanadra, in which they find among other things also retreat possibilities. Also the background and the sides of the aquarium may be densely planted. The swimming area should not be neglected in the design, so that the lively creatures can let off steam. With Floating plants but also with Lotus plants the water surface can be shaded well. Do not illuminate the aquarium too much. As ground a dark fine gravel or also soft gravel is suitable Soilbecause the always hungry rhombus barbs dig there and look for food. In addition, always ensure proper water hygiene and weekly water changes. Your water should have a total hardness of 5-15 °dH, and a pH between 4 and 7.5. They can be kept well at temperatures of 24-27 °C.

Rhombus barbs can be kept well together with other peaceful Carp-like or Danios be socialized. Since they feed among other things on invertebrates, dwarf shrimps are rather unsuitable. Also crayfish could get too close to the fins of the pretty fellows.

The carnivorous rhombus barbs can be fed with commercially available dry food, but also granules or flake food. Preferably, however, they can be fed with live and frozen food such as Mosquito larvae, Daphnia, cyclops or Artemia spoil.

Our food recommendation: NatureHolic Cichfeed is a great staple food for all carnivorous fish in the aquarium, which perfectly meets their requirements for food composition. The tasty pearls are also very well eaten by larger cichlids. Thanks to their soft texture, NatureHolic Cichfeed food pearls are gentle on the mouth and can be eaten very well by the fish.

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.