Black Ink Barb

Remarks:  The rare black ink barb is seldom seen in the hobby despite being a very fascinating species with beautiful and unique coloration. Mature fish will display silver heads, yellow or orange tails, and a large, dark gray or inky black patch just below the dorsal fin. This unique pattern and the endearing set of whiskers on either side of their mouths make the black ink barb a very attractive looking fish. Like with all barbs, there is little visual difference between males and females, but usually if they are ready to spawn, males will display brighter colors and females will appear more rounded.    As not many have kept this species, not much is known about their care. What is known, is that like nearly all barbs, they are best kept in groups of 6-8 or more to satisfy their need to shoal and to disperse any aggression amongst competing males. Keeping black ink barbs in large groups will also help deter them from nipping other tank mates as they will be too busy establishing thei