{"product_id":"checkered-barb-oliotius-oligolepis","title":"Checkered Barb - Oliotius oligolepis","description":"\u003ch1\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eCheckered Barb – \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOliotius oligolepis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCheckered Barb\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is a peaceful, colourful small barb with warm amber body colour and attractive dark checkerboard markings along the flanks. Correctly listed as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOliotius oligolepis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, this species is calmer than many more boisterous barbs and makes an excellent choice for mature planted community aquariums. It is best kept in a proper group, where males show richer colour and natural display behaviour.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKey Identification:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Checkered Barb\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOther Names:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Checker Barb, Chequered Barb, Checkerboard Barb, Island Barb\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOliotius oligolepis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOlder \/ Trade Names:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePuntius oligolepis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBarbus oligolepis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCapoeta oligolepis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFish Type:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Barb \/ Cyprinid\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWater Type:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Freshwater\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNatural Range \u0026amp; Habitat:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOliotius oligolepis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is native to Indonesia, especially Sumatra, where it is associated with creeks, rivers and lakes. In the wild, it occurs in calm to gently flowing freshwater habitats with plant cover, submerged roots, leaf litter and open areas for swimming.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn the aquarium, Checkered Barbs do best in a mature planted setup with open swimming room, shaded areas and gentle to moderate flow. A darker substrate, wood, plants and floating cover can help the fish feel secure and show stronger colour.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAppearance \u0026amp; Adult Size:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCheckered Barbs have a compact barb shape with a warm gold, amber, orange-brown or copper body tone. Dark scale markings create the chequered or checkerboard pattern that gives the species its common name. Mature males often show stronger colour, with reddish fins and darker edging, while females are usually fuller-bodied and more softly coloured.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdults usually reach around \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e4–5 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, making them a small, manageable barb for peaceful community aquariums.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAquarium Suitability:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis species is well suited to planted community aquariums, peaceful Asian-style displays and mixed shoals with similarly sized calm fish. It is a good choice for customers who like barbs but want a gentler species than Tiger Barbs or other nippier types.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCheckered Barbs are not suitable for aggressive cichlid tanks, predator aquariums, tiny nano tanks, very hard alkaline-only setups or cramped aquariums with little swimming room.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRecommended Aquarium Size:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA practical minimum is \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e60–75 litres for a group\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, with a tank length of at least \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e60 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e recommended. Larger aquariums of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e90 litres or more\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e are preferred for bigger groups and mixed communities.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKeep in a group of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eat least 6\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, with \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e8–10 or more\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e preferred. A proper group improves confidence, reduces stress and encourages natural colour and display behaviour.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWater Conditions:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 20–26°C\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003epH:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 6.0–7.5\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHardness:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Soft to moderately hard\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdditional Notes:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Checkered Barbs are adaptable, but they show best in clean, stable, mature water. They do not appreciate prolonged very high tropical temperatures, so avoid keeping them in discus-style heat. Regular partial water changes and steady conditions are recommended.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTemperament \u0026amp; Tank Mates:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAquarium Category:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Community Fish\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCheckered Barbs are peaceful community fish when kept in a suitable group. Suitable tank mates include peaceful rasboras, tetras, danios, small gouramis, dwarf cichlids with care, Cory-type catfish, Otocinclus, small plecs and other calm community species.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAvoid large predators, aggressive cichlids, severe fin-nippers and very slow delicate fish that may be stressed by active shoaling movement. They are much calmer than Tiger Barbs, but should still be kept with peaceful, confident tank mates.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCheckered Barbs are easy-feeding omnivores. Offer quality flakes, small granules and micro pellets as the staple diet. Supplement with frozen or live foods such as daphnia, cyclops, brineshrimp, mosquito larvae and small bloodworm.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInclude occasional vegetable or algae-based foods for balance. A varied diet helps support strong colour, body condition and natural activity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBehaviour in the Aquarium:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis species usually swims through the middle and lower-middle levels of the aquarium, moving in a loose group through plants and open water. Males may spar or display to one another, especially when females are present, but serious damage is uncommon in a well-sized group.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLike other barbs, Checkered Barbs are egg scatterers and do not provide parental care. If spawning occurs in a community aquarium, eggs and fry are usually eaten unless a separate breeding setup is used.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCare Notes:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdd Checkered Barbs only to a mature, fully cycled aquarium. Provide plant cover, open swimming space and a proper group. Avoid bright bare tanks, unstable water quality and keeping them too warm long term.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis species may look plain when young or stressed after transport, but settled males often develop richer colour and more attractive fin contrast in a planted aquarium.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRecommended For:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBeginner to intermediate\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAvailability:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCommon to occasional \/ Usually farmed or captive-bred\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eImage Disclaimer:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAll images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Natural variation in size, amber colour, checkerboard markings, fin colour, sex, age and pattern can occur between individual fish.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Warehouse Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Small","offer_id":43710406328394,"sku":"AG-103564","price":2.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium","offer_id":43710406361162,"sku":"AG-103565","price":3.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large","offer_id":43710406393930,"sku":"AG-103566","price":4.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0623\/1877\/2298\/files\/FreshwaterFish.jpg?v=1781628797","url":"https:\/\/warehouse-aquatics.co.uk\/products\/checkered-barb-oliotius-oligolepis","provider":"Warehouse Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}