I was at the LFS yesterday, and saw six BRILLIANT ORANGE barbs in a tank. They had it labeled "Fire Barbs", of which I had never heard. I bought the fish, they were $4.99. They varied from 1.5 to 2 inches in length, and appeared fiesty and healthy.
I spent three hours last night attempting to ID them. I searched "Fire Barb" on Google, and got a bunch of sites advocating that Barbara be fired. So I started searching for barbs in general, trying to narrow down the list. In my books, I found Puntius Terio, which is the One-Spot Barb. I thought "This is it!" but when I finally found a color photo (which is impossible to find!) on the net, it was not a flaming orange fish, but a much more subdued greenish/yellowish barb.
I have finally decided that this fish is Puntius Conchonius, the Rosy Barb. Short finned. I always thought the Rosy Barb was more red with a substantial amount of black in the fins. This fish are ORANGE! No black in the fins. But I definity think they are Rosy Barb males. They are BEAUTIFUL! I want to find some females to breed these guys with, and see if I can get some flame orange babies.
I'm amazed that the LFS just made up a name, but feel fortunate to have found the fish and now have them in my tank. I love barbs, they are so hardy! Not to mention they are so playful, fiesty, and charismatic. When they eat, they ATTACK the food, these guys don't mess around.
Anyone else have Barbs this color? My wife is furiously looking for our digital camera setup so we can post some pictures, we just moved in July which means we'll finally be unpacked in May of 2014. Once we get the camera, pix will be coming! Maybe you all can affirm or correct my ID.
I spent three hours last night attempting to ID them. I searched "Fire Barb" on Google, and got a bunch of sites advocating that Barbara be fired. So I started searching for barbs in general, trying to narrow down the list. In my books, I found Puntius Terio, which is the One-Spot Barb. I thought "This is it!" but when I finally found a color photo (which is impossible to find!) on the net, it was not a flaming orange fish, but a much more subdued greenish/yellowish barb.
I have finally decided that this fish is Puntius Conchonius, the Rosy Barb. Short finned. I always thought the Rosy Barb was more red with a substantial amount of black in the fins. This fish are ORANGE! No black in the fins. But I definity think they are Rosy Barb males. They are BEAUTIFUL! I want to find some females to breed these guys with, and see if I can get some flame orange babies.
I'm amazed that the LFS just made up a name, but feel fortunate to have found the fish and now have them in my tank. I love barbs, they are so hardy! Not to mention they are so playful, fiesty, and charismatic. When they eat, they ATTACK the food, these guys don't mess around.
Anyone else have Barbs this color? My wife is furiously looking for our digital camera setup so we can post some pictures, we just moved in July which means we'll finally be unpacked in May of 2014. Once we get the camera, pix will be coming! Maybe you all can affirm or correct my ID.
