Flying barb

Adults of this species reach a length of 6–7 cm. The fish is characterized by an elongated, streamlined body and large, pointed fins located closer to the caudal part. The pectoral fins are notable: their size and position relative to the body resemble wings. This analogy is not accidental, as the flying barb earned its name due to its ability to jump out of the water and briefly glide in the air. Although in this “aerial” art, it still falls short of its South American “relatives” — the hatchetfish. The body color is usually gray, with a silvery belly, and two stripes run along the body — one black and one golden. Sexual dimorphism in this species is weakly expressed; males are usually slimmer and slightly smaller than females.

The natural habitat of this species covers most of South Asia, including the modern territories of Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar, Bangladesh, a significant part of India, and the island of Sri Lanka. In nature, these fish prefer shallow areas of rivers and streams, swamps, and tropical forests flooded during the rainy season. They are often found in places with abundant aquatic vegetation.

This species of aquarium fish is characterized by a peaceful nature and prefers to stay in a group. It is important to note that this is not a typical schooling species, as a complex hierarchy forms within the group, where individuals are not equal. It is recommended to keep a group of at least 8–10 individuals to avoid aggression from stronger fish, which can occur with smaller numbers. Sometimes such hostile behavior can also be directed at other aquarium inhabitants. Good tank mates include non-aggressive species of comparable size, such as Danios, Barbs, and other Cyprinids.

For comfortable keeping of a group of 8–10 flying barbs, an aquarium of 200–250 liters will be required. Since these fish primarily inhabit the upper layers of the water, it is important to pay attention to the surface area of the tank, not just its depth. For decoration, it is recommended to use a dark substrate, as well as abundant aquatic vegetation and driftwood, which will serve as shelters. Given the fish's ability to jump, the aquarium must be equipped with a reliable lid. In general, keeping this species is not difficult, as the fish adapts well to various conditions, which is confirmed by its frequent habitation in flooded rice fields in nature. Nevertheless, regular aquarium maintenance should not be neglected, including weekly partial water changes and systematic removal of organic waste, such as food remnants and excrement. Being an omnivorous species, the flying barb readily accepts most popular dry, frozen, and live foods. It is optimal to offer them floating foods, as food particles that sink to the bottom are likely to be ignored.

The flying barb is an omnivorous species that will readily accept most common foods, whether dry, frozen, or live. However, it is worth noting that floating foods are preferable. Food that sinks to the bottom of the aquarium generally remains untouched by these fish.

Breeding the flying barb in aquarium conditions is characterized as a task of moderate difficulty. A separate breeding tank is required for spawning, as the fish are prone to eating their own eggs. Stimulation for the start of the process is achieved by imitating the rainy season, which is done by frequent water changes with fresh, softer water and a gradual increase in temperature to the upper limit of the recommended range.

Spawning is usually in pairs or groups, during which females scatter small eggs among dense, fine-leaved plants. After the process is complete, the parents should be immediately removed. The incubation period and fry development proceed standardly for carp fish. Infusoria and microworms serve as initial food for the hatched offspring; as the fry grow, they are transitioned to Artemia nauplii.

This species is characterized by a specific pathology known as “wasting syndrome,” which manifests as rapid muscle mass loss. Currently, effective treatment methods for this condition have not been developed. Otherwise, the fish have strong immunity provided that water purity is maintained and stressful factors are absent.

When selecting individuals, attention should be paid to the overall activity of the fish in the aquarium: healthy flying barbs should be mobile and primarily occupy the upper layers of the water. Avoid specimens with signs of fin damage, as these fish are prone to intraspecific aggression if the hierarchy is disrupted or the group size is insufficient. It is recommended to acquire a school of 8-10 individuals at once to reduce stress during adaptation.