The Spanner Barb is also known as the T-Barb an active mid size freshwater barb. An ideal aquarium fish for a community tank with other medium sized and peaceful fish, but do best when kept in a group of 6 or more of their own kind. They are a hardy species and enjoy broad water conditions but require water to be clean and moderate flowing. They occupy the bottom to mid water column.
Shop live barbs online delivered with confidence with our livestock guarantee.
Features of Spanner Barb's:
- three black lines on the fish’s pale yellow body along with a black spot above the anal fin
- Best kept in groups of 6 or more
- Lifespan up to 8 years
- Grows to 13cm
Spanner Barb : Care, Diet and Tank Mates
The Best Aquarium Size for Spanner Barbs:
Spanner barbs are very active and social fish that occupy the bottom to mid water column. They require a generous amount of swimming space and need at least 200L tank to keep a small group of them. If keeping a large group, consider a larger aquarium.
After an Aquarium for your fish? Browse our Aquarium Tank Selection here.
Tank Mate Compatibility:
The best tank mates are species of similar peaceful and active nature. Avoid keeping Spanner barbs in the same aquarium with docile, slow-moving, or long or flowing-finned fish, such as the angelfish, guppies or bettas. They can be mildy aggressive and display bullying behaviour if kept singularly or in too small of a school. They are best in a large group of their own species.
Here’s a list of some of the best tank mates for your Spanner Barb:
Spanner Barb Diet :
Spanner barbs are omnivores and are accepting of almost any food, Spanner barbs should be given a variety of foods. Feed a quality pelleted or flake food, in addition to live and frozen foods such as brine shrimp, bloodworms. They will also consume vegetable matter.
Spanner Barb Tank Set-up
Aquarium Filtration for Spanner Barbs
Spanner barbs prefer clean water and moderate flowing water. When selecting an aquarium filter consider the size of your aquarium and ensure adequate volume to maintain clean water. They are a hardy species and tolerate broad water parameters but do best in clean water that is highly oxygenated. Cannister filters are a great option for medium to large aquariums and aid in maintaining water quality.
Browse aquarium filters here.
Aquarium Plants for Spanner Barb:
They are active swimmers and look great darting in and around live aquarium plants. Silk and plastic plants are also a great option to add life to your aquarium.
Great aquarium plants to consider include:
Interested in live plants for your aquariums? Browse live plants here.
Aquarium Lighting for Spanner Barbs
Spanner barbs are not fussy when it comes to lighting and do not have specific requirements. Moderate lighting with some areas of shade to shelter in will keep the Spanner Barb happy. Aquarium lighting is necessary for the photosynthesis required for healthy aquarium plants.
Looking for the ideal aquarium lighting? Shop fish tank lighting here.
Aquarium Substrate for Spanner Barbs
Spanner barbs occupy to middle water column and do not have substrate preferences. Aquarium gravel, sand and pebbles are all options. If planting live aquarium plants, aquarium soils can be used under a layer of gravel or sand for optimum plant fertilization and growth.
A variety of Substrates are available at Coburg Aquarium.
