- Common name
- African redfinned barb
- Scientific name
- Enteromius camptacanthus
- Category
- Freshwater fish
- Group
- African barbs
- Environment
- Freshwater aquarium
- Origin
- West and Central Africa from Cameroon and the Niger delta east and south through parts of the Congo drainage
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- Up to 15.5 cm total length; 12.5 cm standard length
- Expected lifespan
- A dependable species-specific maximum was not located; plan for 5–8 years of stable shoaling care.
- Minimum housing
- At least 300 L with a 150 cm or longer footprint for a group of 8 or more
- Temperature
- 22–28 °C
- pH
- 6.8–7.8
- Hardness / minerals
- 5–15 dGH
- Salinity
- Freshwater; 0 ppt routine salinity
- Lighting
- Moderate, with shaded areas
- Placement / zone
- Middle and lower water
- Filtration
- Use mature biological filtration sized for the full adult group, with accessible mechanical prefiltration and guarded intakes. Flow must suit the species while ammonia and nitrite remain undetectable.
- Aeration
- Maintain reliable surface agitation and oxygen exchange at all times. Increase aeration during hot weather, medication, transport recovery or any rise in stocking load.
- Maintenance
- Change water regularly according to measured nitrate and waste, siphon trapped food and detritus, rinse mechanical media in removed aquarium water and verify that every fish is feeding and maintaining condition.
Identity and search names
Single-species profile for Enteromius camptacanthus. Preserve permanent AquaNexus ID 1373, slug african-banded-barb and route species/african-banded-barb/index.html; retain former combinations, locality labels and trade names only as searchable aliases.
Search names: African redfinned barb, African banded barb, Barbus camptacanthus
Environment and housing
Provide a long aquarium with open swimming space, wood, plants or shaded margins, strong oxygenation and secure cover.
Social structure: Maintain at least 8
Feeding and nutrition
Feeding ecology: Omnivorous, including aquatic invertebrates, plant matter and prepared foods
Feeding routine: One or two varied measured feeds daily
Breeding, reproduction or spread
Unknown — dependable species-specific aquarium breeding information was not located
Parental care: Unknown
Detailed care and app-ready planning
- Identity scope
- Single-species profile for Enteromius camptacanthus. Preserve permanent AquaNexus ID 1373, slug african-banded-barb and route species/african-banded-barb/index.html; retain former combinations, locality labels and trade names only as searchable aliases.
- Adult size and space
- Expected adult size: Up to 15.5 cm total length; 12.5 cm standard length. Minimum permanent housing: At least 300 L with a 150 cm or longer footprint for a group of 8 or more. Plan around adult dimensions, activity, social structure, aggression, oxygen demand and waste production rather than sale size.
- Social structure
- Maintain at least 8
- Swimming zone or placement
- Primary zone: Middle and lower water. Keep that zone usable for movement, feeding, refuge and escape.
- Feeding ecology
- Omnivorous, including aquatic invertebrates, plant matter and prepared foods
- Feeding plan
- One or two varied measured feeds daily
- Water stability
- Maintain 22–28 °C; pH 6.8–7.8; hardness or minerals: 5–15 dGH; salinity: Freshwater; 0 ppt routine salinity. Stable oxygenation and nitrogen-cycle control matter more than chasing one exact value.
- Habitat structure
- Provide a long aquarium with open swimming space, wood, plants or shaded margins, strong oxygenation and secure cover.
- Compatibility plan
- Choose robust peaceful fish of similar size and activity. Avoid slow, long-finned or very small companions.
- Breeding or reproduction plan
- Unknown — dependable species-specific aquarium breeding information was not located Parental care: Unknown.
- Quarantine
- Quarantine new livestock in a separate cycled system for at least 30 days. Observe appetite, respiration, waste, skin, fins and behaviour; use dedicated equipment and never add transport water to the established aquarium.
- Welfare checks
- Maintain the stated adult space and social structure, verify feeding, and intervene early when injury, exclusion, weight loss, abnormal respiration or altered behaviour appears. The permanent slug is retained for route stability, but the common name is corrected to African redfinned barb. Plan for 15.5 cm adults, not the old 5–7 cm estimate.
- Biosecurity and release
- Never release fish, fry, eggs, aquarium water, sediment, plants or live foods into drains, dams or natural waterways. Confirm current Australian import conditions and South Australian possession, trade and movement rules before acquisition or transfer.
- Main risk
- The permanent slug is retained for route stability, but the common name is corrected to African redfinned barb. Plan for 15.5 cm adults, not the old 5–7 cm estimate.
- Adult projected load
- Plan filtration and maintenance for the complete adult african redfinned barb group, not juvenile shop size. Adult body mass, feeding, social-group size and activity determine the permanent biological and oxygen load.
- Filtration
- Use mature biological filtration sized for the full adult group, with accessible mechanical prefiltration and guarded intakes. Flow must suit the species while ammonia and nitrite remain undetectable.
- Aeration
- Maintain reliable surface agitation and oxygen exchange at all times. Increase aeration during hot weather, medication, transport recovery or any rise in stocking load.
- Maintenance
- Change water regularly according to measured nitrate and waste, siphon trapped food and detritus, rinse mechanical media in removed aquarium water and verify that every fish is feeding and maintaining condition.
- Overridable warnings
- Non-overridable: do not accept persistent ammonia or nitrite, oxygen distress, chronic bullying or inadequate adult space. A knowledgeable user may choose different equipment or water-change intervals only when measured water quality, oxygenation and fish condition remain consistently safe.
Compatibility, welfare and risk
Compatibility: Not applicable
Welfare: Maintain the stated adult space and social structure, verify feeding, and intervene early when injury, exclusion, weight loss, abnormal respiration or altered behaviour appears. The permanent slug is retained for route stability, but the common name is corrected to African redfinned barb. Plan for 15.5 cm adults, not the old 5–7 cm estimate.
Main warning: The permanent slug is retained for route stability, but the common name is corrected to African redfinned barb. Plan for 15.5 cm adults, not the old 5–7 cm estimate.
Biosecurity and release
Never release fish, fry, eggs, aquarium water, sediment, plants or live foods into drains, dams or natural waterways. Confirm current Australian import conditions and South Australian possession, trade and movement rules before acquisition or transfer.