Keeping Barbels busy

22maart2006
Source: C.P. Steinle
Barbels are known for two characteristics: chasing other fish and eating plants.
Barbels come in many different kinds and sizes. One of the most popular barbels for aquariums is the Sumatra Barbel. Barbels do not live in schools. They do often swim close to each other, but they also have a social order comparable to the ‘pecking order’ of chickens.

Barbels are known for two things: chasing other fish and eating plants. Both can be explained by boredom, which may cause fish to exhibit disturbed behaviour. With a few simple guidelines, however, Barbels can be good company.

Barbels may not live in schools, but cannot live without their fellows either. When the aquarium contains several kinds of fish, it is good to keep larger groups of each species in the aquarium, for example 15 fish of each species. This way, the fellow barbels will encounter each other regularly. Chasing and biting other species will then become much less interesting.

When barbels are bored they may also destroy aquarium plants. Although they are not really herbivores but omnivores, barbels may still suddenly graze down all the water plants in the aquarium. A possible solution is to choose plants which the barbels are not fond of, for example different kinds of water ferns, fireweeds, or African anubias. Another way to save the plants in the aquarium is to make some variation in the fish’s feed. The dry fish feed can be supplemented with tubifex worms, fruit flies, an earth-worm, but also cauliflower leaf, willow twigs, or a slice of carrot. Nitrate, which is relatively abundant in greens is less healthy for fish. Insecticides and pesticides are best to be avoided as well.