The Pentazona Barb (Puntius pentazona) is a small, active freshwater fish known for its bright yellow-gold body with five distinct black vertical stripes. Males develop a more intense coloration during breeding, making them visually striking additions to community aquariums.
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The Pentazona Barb (Puntius pentazona) is a small, active freshwater fish known for its bright yellow-gold body with five distinct black vertical stripes. Males develop a more intense coloration during breeding, making them visually striking additions to community aquariums.
Slender, laterally compressed body with bright yellow-gold coloration and five vertical black stripes. Males develop more intense red or orange on fins during breeding. Adults reach up to 2–2.5 inches (5–6 cm).
4–5 years with proper care
Omnivorous — feeds on high-quality flakes, pellets, and occasional live or frozen foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia.
Pentazona Barbs are lively, colorful, and peaceful schooling fish. Maintaining proper group size, water conditions, and a balanced diet ensures they display full coloration and remain healthy.
Easy — hardy and adaptable species suitable for beginners.
20 gallons (for a school of 6+)
6.0 to 7.0
5–12 dGH
74–78°F (23–26°C)
2–2.5 inches (5–6 cm)
Compatible with other peaceful, similarly sized fish such as small tetras, danios, and other barbs.
Avoid very small, slow-moving, or long-finned fish that could be stressed or nipped.
Puntius pentazona
Cyprinidae
Southeast Asia – Thailand, Malaysia
Schooling fish. Best kept in groups of 6 or more to promote natural behavior and reduce stress.
Feed 2–3 times daily in small portions. Provide a varied diet of flakes, pellets, and occasional live/frozen foods to maintain coloration and overall health.
Egg scatterer. Spawns over fine-leaved plants or spawning mops. Adults should be removed after spawning to prevent eating eggs.
Use a separate breeding tank with soft, slightly acidic to neutral water (pH 6.0–7.0, temperature 74–78°F / 23–26°C). Scatter eggs among fine-leaved plants or spawning mops. Eggs hatch in 24–36 hours; fry become free-swimming in 3–4 days. Feed fry infusoria initially, then gradually transition to baby brine shrimp or finely crushed flakes.
pH: 6.0–7.0, Temperature: 74–78°F (23–26°C), Hardness: 5–12 dGH, Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm, Nitrate: <20 ppm.
Prone to ich, fin rot, and stress if water quality is poor or kept in small groups.
Peaceful, active, and social; best kept in schools of 6 or more to reduce stress and encourage natural behavior.
Active, peaceful, and schooling. Prefers mid-level swimming zones. Benefits from groups of 6 or more for natural behavior and reduced stress.
Native to Southeast Asia, the Pentazona Barb is admired for its vibrant coloration and peaceful nature. Males exhibit brighter colors, especially during breeding, while females are slightly paler. This species thrives in planted aquariums with open swimming areas and moderate water flow. Ideal for beginner to intermediate aquarists, Pentazona Barbs are hardy, schooling fish that enhance any community tank.