Edit Oliotius oligolepis

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Name

Scientific name

Oliotius oligolepis

Described by

Authority Bleeker, Year 1853, Bracketed

Family

Cyprinidae

Common names

Checkered Barb

Photograph credits

All 6 credited

Summary

The checkered barb, Oliotius oligolepis, is a small cyprinid apparently endemic to western central Sumatra, Indonesia. Also traded as 'chec…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

45mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Minimum length 75 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm, Minimum height 30 cm

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 18–25°C, pH 5.5–7.5

Hardness

2–12dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Peaceful

Community suitability

Community-safe

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Indonesia, Sumatra, Aek Garoga, Aek Sibundung, Aek Sumuran, Maninjau

Writing

Etymology

Oliotius: formed from part of the species name oligolepis and part of the former generic name Puntius. oligolepis: from the Ancient Greek ὀλίγοι (olígoi), mean…

Distribution

Apparently endemic to western central Sumatra, Indonesia, but the full extent of its distribution is unclear. The few recent records that exist pertain to lowe…

Habitat

Not written yet

Aquarium size

An aquarium with dimensions of 75 ∗ 30 ∗ 30 cm or larger is required.

Maintenance

Choice of décor is not especially critical though it tends to show better colouration in a well-decorated set-up. The addition of floating or overhanging veget…

Water conditions

Not written yet

Diet

Probably an omnivore feeding primarily on aquatic invertebrates, as well as smaller amounts of plant material and organic detritus in nature. In the aquarium i…

Behaviour and compatibility

Generally very peaceful making it an ideal resident of the well-researched community aquarium. It is a schooling species by nature, and at least 6-10 specimens…

Sexual dimorphism

Adult males are noticeably smaller, slimmer, and more colourful than females, the latter character being more noticeable in nuptial individuals.

Reproduction

An egg-scattering free spawner exhibiting no parental care. When in good condition it will spawn often, and in a mature aquarium it is possible that small numb…

Notes

This species is also traded as 'checker barb', 'checkerboard barb', or 'island barb', and is among the most ubiquitous species available in the aquarium trade.…

This species is also traded as 'checker barb', 'checkerboard barb', or 'island barb', and is among the most ubiquitous species available in the aquarium trade. It is farmed commercially in enormous numbers with wild examples rarely, if ever, available.

It was formerly included in the polyphyletic catch-all genus Puntius which contained over 100 species, but this situation has been largely resolved since the turn of the century.

Oliotius was raised by Kottelat (2013) in order to accommodate O. oligolepis since it possesses a unique suite of distinguishing characters in comparison with other former Puntius from Southeast Asia. It is diagnosed as follows: colour pattern comprising black crescent-shaped marks on all scales; scales large, with 8 circumpeduncular rows, 17 in lateral line series; 3.5/1/3.5 scales between dorsal-fin origin and ventral midline anterior to pelvic-fin base.

The following characters also aid in identification: presence of rows of papillae on sides of snout, infraorbital area, opercle, interorbital area and throat shared only with Striuntius among related genera from the region; posterior simple dorsal-fin ray unserrated; rostral barbels absent; maxillary barbels present; lips smooth and thin, postlabial groove interrupted medially; lateral line incomplete, with 6–7 pored scales; 3-5 gill rakers on first gill arch.

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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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References

6 on this profile

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