Ah, the Sumatran bearded fish ! A little jewel of an aquarium that turns the heads of novices and experts alike. As a pet shop assistant for a few years now, I've had the opportunity to see quite a few of these colourful little swimmers. Let me tell you everything you need to know about this fascinating fish, from its natural habitat to its care in the aquarium.
Sumatran sea bass: a fish with character
Origins and description
Le Sumatran bearded fishThe tetrapod, whose scientific name is Puntigrus tetrazona, is native to South-East Asia. It is found in the wild in the fresh waters of Sumatra, Borneo, Malaysia and Thailand. It is a stocky little fellow, measuring between 5 and 7 cm, recognisable by its 4 vertical black stripes on a body of varying shades of orange, yellow and green.
I remember the first time I saw a group of Sumatran beards in an aquarium. I was fascinated by their agility and bright colours. It was then that I knew I wanted to learn more about these lively little fish.
Behaviour and temperament
Don't be fooled by its small size, the Sumatran bearded sea bass has character! They are active, lively and playful fish that love to swim in groups. We recommend keeping them in shoals of at least 6 to 10 individuals so that they feel safe and can express their natural behaviour to the full.
Beware though, these little devils can sometimes be a little teasing, even aggressive towards calmer fish or those with long fins. If you have mollys fish or other peaceful species, it's best to think twice before letting them live alongside Sumatran beards.
Longevity and special features
With a lifespan of 3 to 5 years, the Sumatran Barbet is not a long-lived fish, but it will brighten up your aquarium for several years if you take good care of it. These tricky little creatures love to hide in plants and are excellent swimmers. However, they do have a tendency to jump out of the water, so make sure your aquarium is well covered!
Maintenance and care of the Sumatran Barbet
Ideal habitat
To make your Sumatran Bearded Beard feel like a fish in water (so to speak!), here's what they need:
- An aquarium of at least 80 to 120 litres for a group
- Water temperature between 24 and 28°C (ideally 26°C)
- A pH between 6.0 and 7.5
- Water hardness between 5 and 15 GH
Don't forget to decorate your aquarium with bushy plants and hiding places. Your bearded friends love to play hide and seek! And above all, give them space to swim. These sporty little creatures need to exercise.
Food and health
The Sumatran sea bass is an omnivorous fish, which means it eats everything. In the wild, it feasts on small insects, worms and algae. In the aquarium, you can offer it a varied diet consisting of :
| Type of food | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Granules and flakes | Daily |
| Live prey (artemia, daphnia) | 2-3 times a week |
| Vegetables (blanched spinach, courgette) | 1-2 times a week |
In terms of health, these little fish are generally robust, but they can be susceptible to certain diseases such as ichthyosporidium and oodiniosis. To keep them in good health, pay attention to water quality and avoid stressing them. A good filtration system is essential for maintaining clean, healthy water.
Reproduction
If you want to start breeding Sumatran bearded bass, you should know that reproduction is relatively easy. These fish are oviparous, which means that the female lays eggs that are then fertilised by the male. To increase your chances of success, prepare a separate breeding tank with slightly more acidic water (pH around 6.5) and a slightly higher temperature (28°C).
A little professional advice Add a few fine-leaved plants such as milfoil to the breeding tank. Females love to lay their eggs there!
The Sumatran Barbet: a wise choice for aquarists
All in all, the Sumatran Barbet is an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced aquarists. Easy to maintain, full of life and beautiful to look at, it will bring a touch of colour and excitement to your aquarium.
But don't forget that these fish need to live in groups and can be a bit boisterous. So make sure your aquarium is big enough and well equipped before you start. With the right care, your Sumatran Barbet will quickly become the star of your aquarium, providing hours of entertainment with their playfulness and vibrant colours.
As a keen aquarist, I can only encourage you to give these extraordinary little fish a try. Who knows, maybe they'll become your new favourite aquatic companions?
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