Edit Enteromius holotaenia

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Name

Scientific name

Enteromius holotaenia

Described by

Authority Boulenger, Year 1904, Bracketed

Family

Cyprinidae

Common names

Spotscale Barb

Photograph credits

All 1 credited

Summary

The spotscale barb, 'Barbus' holotaenia, is a cyprinid from Central West Africa, found principally in the Ogooué and Congo river systems. I…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

120mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Minimum length 120 cm, Minimum depth 45 cm

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 24–30°C, pH 6–7

Hardness

2–8dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Not recorded

Community suitability

Community-safe

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Angola, Cameroon, DR Congo, Gabon, Congo, Ogooué

Writing

Etymology

Not written yet

Distribution

This species is native to Central West Africa where it is principally found in the great Ogooué and Congo River systems. It therefore has an extensive range an…

Habitat

Given its massive distribution it is likely to be found in various biotopes but would appear to be primarily a riverine species.

Aquarium size

Base dimensions of at least 120 ∗ 45 cm are recommended.

Maintenance

Fairly undemanding provided its tank is well-maintained. It can appear a little washed out in very sparsely decorated set-ups though. A combination of good lig…

Water conditions

Not written yet

Diet

According to a 1996 study it feeds mostly on both benthic and terrestrial insects in the wet season and small shrimp and the scales of other fish in the dry se…

Behaviour and compatibility

This species makes an ideal addition to a peaceful community of slightly bigger African species such as other similarly sized 'Barbus', Alestiid tetras, Mochok…

Sexual dimorphism

Males should be more intensely coloured, slimmer and slightly smaller than females.

Reproduction

Unreported in the hobby as far as we know and if you are lucky enough to find it on sale in numbers it would make an excellent project. Adopting a strategy as …

Notes

Like other African 'Barbus' this is a rare species in the hobby and unfortunately little information is available regarding its captive care. There has been sp…

Like other African 'Barbus' this is a rare species in the hobby and unfortunately little information is available regarding its captive care. There has been speculation that it is the closest surface-dwelling relative to the cave-dwelling Congo blind barb, Caecobarbus geertsii, although this is questionable to say the least as the two do not inhabit the same ecoregion and exhibit some rather crucial morphometric differences.

The genus Barbus is in something of a confused state classification-wise. While there exist almost 340 putative species the vast majority of them do not appear to be closely-related to the genus Barbus sensu stricto.

Berrebi et al. (1996) proposed that only the European, Southwest Asian and North African representatives should be included in Barbus (around 20 species) and that 'all species of Barbus sensu lato which cannot be placed in a proper genus or allocated to an already existing genus be referred to as 'Barbus'' pending further study. This includes all sub-Saharan species and is the system we follow here at SF.

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Where does this come from?

My own experienceFor example, I've kept twelve in a planted 60 cm tank since March 2024.A website I sawFor example, an IUCN Red List assessment, a museum catalogue or a FishBase page.A paperFor example, Marshall et al. (2011), Water temperature differences in interfluvial palm swamp habitats of Paracheirodon axelrodi and P. simulans.A book, or something not onlineFor example, Tappin (2010), Rainbowfishes: their care and keeping in captivity.Something already on the pageFor example, the Behaviour and compatibility section already says this.

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DOI

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Title

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Authors

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Year

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Pages

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Anything worth adding

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References

No references

Name

Scientific name

Described by

Family

Common names

Photograph credits

Summary

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

Aquarium size

Water

Water conditions

Hardness

Conductivity

Behaviour

Temperament

Social needs

Community suitability

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Writing

Etymology

Distribution

Habitat

Aquarium size

Maintenance

Water conditions

Diet

Behaviour and compatibility

Sexual dimorphism

Reproduction

Notes

References

References