Everetts Barb (Barbodes everetti) — 4,5-6cm

Overview

Everett's Barb (Barbodes everetti), also known as the clown barb, is a lively, attractive schooling barb native to Borneo and Sumatra in Indonesia and Malaysia. This small, peaceful species reaches just 3.5 cm in length and is prized for its vibrant coloration, active swimming behavior, and suitability for well-planted community aquariums. Males display warm orange to reddish-brown body coloration with distinctive black vertical bars and iridescent blue-green highlights on the scales, creating a striking appearance that intensifies during breeding displays. Females are slightly plainer but equally charming. Unlike some larger barbs that can be boisterous or fin-nipping, Everett's Barb is genuinely peaceful and thrives in groups, making it an excellent choice for aquarists seeking a colorful, active, and easy-to-keep schooling species. Available for sale UK from specialist suppliers, this species brings constant movement and visual interest to any planted aquarium.

Appearance and Physical Characteristics

Barbodes everetti exhibits a compact, laterally compressed body shape typical of small barbs, with a slightly arched dorsal profile and a forked caudal fin. The body coloration is highly variable depending on mood, lighting, and breeding condition. Males in breeding condition display a base color of golden-orange to reddish-brown, overlaid with 4-5 bold, irregular black vertical bars that extend from the dorsal to ventral surfaces. The scales have an iridescent blue-green or turquoise sheen that catches light beautifully under aquarium lighting. The fins are generally clear to amber-tinted, with males showing slightly more color and extension in the dorsal and anal fins. Females are typically paler, with a more silvery-gold base color, less pronounced barring, and fuller bodies when gravid. Both sexes have a small, terminal mouth and large, expressive eyes. Color intensity varies with diet, water quality, and social dynamics—well-fed, unstressed fish in groups display the most vibrant coloration.

Natural Habitat and Distribution

Barbodes everetti is native to Borneo and Sumatra, where it inhabits clear, fast-flowing foothill streams and shallow forest puddles within densely vegetated, shaded areas. These habitats are characterized by clean, well-oxygenated water with a substrate of sand, gravel, and smooth stones, often with submerged roots, fallen branches, and leaf litter. Water chemistry is typically soft to moderately hard and slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6.0-7.0), with temperatures ranging from 22-28°C. During the rainy season, water levels rise and fish move into flooded forest floor puddles as shallow as 15 cm or less, foraging for small invertebrates, algae, and detritus. Understanding these natural conditions—clean, well-oxygenated water with moderate flow, dense planting, and open swimming areas—helps replicate appropriate aquarium environments.

Aquarium Setup and Environment

A minimum aquarium capacity of 60 liters is recommended for a school of 8-10 Everett's Barbs, with larger tanks (80-100 liters) preferred for community setups. The tank should emphasize horizontal swimming space with a length of at least 60 cm, as these active fish require room to school and explore. Provide moderate to dense planting with species such as Cryptocoryne, Hygrophila, Vallisneria, and Anubias, leaving open swimming areas in the center and foreground. A dark substrate (sand or fine gravel) enhances coloration and reduces stress, and the addition of driftwood, smooth rocks, and dried leaves (Indian almond or oak) replicates their natural forest stream environment. Filtration should be good, with moderate water movement to replicate stream conditions and maintain high oxygen levels. Lighting can be moderate; these fish appreciate some shaded areas provided by floating plants or overhanging vegetation. A secure lid is recommended, as barbs are active and may jump when startled.

Water Parameters and Quality

Everett's Barb thrive in clean, well-oxygenated water that mirrors their native stream habitats. Maintain temperatures between 22-28°C, with 24-26°C being optimal. The pH should be slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 6.0-7.5, though pH 6.5-7.0 is ideal. Water hardness can vary from soft (3-8 dGH) to moderately hard (up to 12 dGH), providing some flexibility. Stability is more important than exact parameters—avoid sudden fluctuations in temperature or chemistry. Maintain zero ammonia and nitrite at all times, and keep nitrates below 30 ppm through regular weekly water changes (25-30%). Good oxygenation is important; ensure strong surface agitation and consider supplemental aeration if temperatures rise during summer. These fish are sensitive to poor water quality and will lose color and vigor if conditions deteriorate.

Feeding and Nutrition

Barbodes everetti is an omnivore with a diet centered on small invertebrates, algae, and plant matter. Offer high-quality flake or small pellet foods as the staple, supplemented daily with frozen or live foods such as daphnia, cyclops, brine shrimp, bloodworms, and insect larvae. Include some vegetable matter or spirulina-based foods to replicate their natural foraging behavior and support digestive health. Feed twice daily in portions that can be consumed within 2-3 minutes, removing uneaten food promptly to maintain water quality. Provide variety to ensure complete nutrition and vibrant coloration. Fasting one day per week supports digestive health and prevents overfeeding-related issues. Well-fed fish display brighter colors, more active behavior, and stronger resistance to disease.

Behaviour and Temperament

Everett's Barb is a peaceful, highly social species that thrives in groups and spends most of its time actively schooling and exploring all levels of the aquarium. Unlike some larger barbs that can be boisterous or nippy, this species is genuinely peaceful and rarely bothers tankmates. They are most confident and display their best coloration when kept in schools of 8-10 or more individuals; smaller groups may become shy, stressed, or lose color. These fish are diurnal and most active during daylight hours, constantly on the move foraging, interacting with one another, and exploring their environment. Males may engage in brief, harmless displays or chases during breeding periods, but aggression is minimal. Their lively swimming patterns and bright colors make them an engaging and dynamic addition to planted community aquariums.

Tank Mates and Compatibility

Suitable tank mates for Everett's Barb include other small, peaceful schooling fish such as other small peaceful barbs (cherry barbs, gold barbs), danios, rasboras, small peaceful tetras (neon tetras, ember tetras), and bottom-dwelling species such as Corydoras catfish or Pangio kuhli loaches. These barbs are non-aggressive and coexist peacefully with most community species. Avoid housing with slow-moving, long-finned fish (bettas, fancy guppies, angelfish), as even peaceful barbs may occasionally nip long fins if underfed or kept in too-small groups. Very small fish (fry, nano species under 1.5 cm) may be intimidated or outcompeted for food, though predation is rare. Aggressive cichlids, fin-nipping species, and highly territorial fish are unsuitable. Shrimp and snails generally coexist peacefully, though very small shrimp or fry may be eaten opportunistically.

Breeding

Barbodes everetti can be bred successfully in captivity with proper preparation. Spawning is typically by egg scattering among fine-leaved plants or spawning mops. Condition breeding pairs or groups with high-quality live and frozen foods (daphnia, brine shrimp, bloodworms) for 2-3 weeks, selecting the most colorful males and fullest females. Transfer them to a dedicated breeding tank (40-60 liters) with soft, slightly acidic water (pH 6.0-6.5, temperature 26-27°C), gentle sponge filtration, and dim lighting. Provide spawning substrates such as fine-leaved plants (Java moss, Cabomba) or spawning mops. Spawning usually occurs in the early morning, with pairs or groups scattering eggs among the plants. Adults will eat eggs and fry, so remove them immediately after spawning. Eggs typically hatch in 24-36 hours depending on temperature. Fry are very small and require infusoria or liquid fry food for the first 3-5 days, then newly hatched brine shrimp and microworms. Provide frequent small feedings (4-5 times daily) and regular small water changes to support healthy growth.

Why Buy from Tropical Fish Co

Tropical Fish Co is the UK's premier destination for healthy, vibrant Everett's Barbs, carefully selected for color, vigor, and genetic quality. Every fish is quarantined upon arrival, conditioned on a varied, high-quality diet, and health-checked before dispatch to ensure you receive robust, disease-free specimens ready to thrive in your aquarium. Our expert team provides comprehensive care guides, personalized stocking advice, and ongoing support to help you create the ideal planted community environment for these beautiful schooling fish. We offer a live arrival guarantee on all orders, backed by secure, insulated packaging and next-day courier delivery to your door. Whether you're building a peaceful community tank or a dedicated Southeast Asian biotope, our commitment to quality, ethical sourcing, and customer service ensures you receive the finest livestock available. Order your Everett's Barbs today and enjoy the beauty, activity, and charm of one of Borneo's most delightful aquarium species.