Checkerboard barb
Oliotius oligolepis
easy careOverview
The checkerboard barb (Oliotius oligolepis) is a small, peaceful barb patterned with a neat grid of dark-edged scales that gives it its name. Males add red-tinged, black-edged fins that glow in a planted tank. Unlike the boisterous tiger barb, it is gentle and community-safe, and its modest size and calm nature make it a lovely, underrated schooling fish.
Tank & water
An active shoal is comfortable in 75 litres (20 gallons) or more. Priorities:
- Temperature: they suit the cooler end of tropical, 20–26 °C; a heater keeps it steady.
- Water: happiest at pH 6.0–7.5 and soft to moderately hard water.
- Filtration: a filter with gentle flow keeps water clean without stressing them.
- Planting and shade: dense plants, driftwood and dim light bring out the males’ colours.
Feeding
Checkerboard barbs are easy omnivores. Feed a quality flake or micro-pellet staple with frozen or live foods — daphnia, bloodworm, brine shrimp — plus the occasional vegetable flake. Small amounts once or twice a day, cleared quickly, keeps them in good condition and colour. As forest-stream grazers they also nibble biofilm and tiny invertebrates from plants and wood, so a mature, planted tank supports them between feeds and encourages natural foraging behaviour.
Tankmates
Peaceful and small, they suit a calm community: harlequin rasboras, cherry barbs, glowlight tetras, peaceful corydoras and small gouramis. Avoid large or aggressive fish. Keep a shoal of at least six — see best fish for a planted tank for compatible choices.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Keeping too few, which leaves them shy
- Water kept too warm at the top of the range
- Bright, bare tanks that mute male colour
- Housing them with boisterous or aggressive fish
Give checkerboard barbs a cooler, planted tank and a proper shoal and they reward you with subtle patterning and genuinely peaceful manners.
Checkerboard barb — frequently asked questions
Are checkerboard barbs aggressive like tiger barbs?
No. Checkerboard barbs are notably peaceful, unlike the nippy tiger barb. In a group of six or more they keep to themselves and make excellent, well-mannered community fish for a planted tank.
What water do checkerboard barbs like?
Soft, slightly acidic to neutral water around pH 6.0–7.5, and slightly cooler temperatures than many tropicals at 20–26 °C. They come from forest streams, so a shaded, planted tank suits them well.
How many checkerboard barbs should I keep?
At least six, ideally eight or more. As a shoaling species they are most colourful and confident in a group, and males display their best fins and colours when competing within a good-sized shoal.
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