{"product_id":"filament-barb-dawkinsia-filamentosa","title":"Filament Barb - Dawkinsia Filamentosa","description":"\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFilament Barb | A Majestic and Rare Schooling Fish From the Rivers of India\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe Filament Barb (Dawkinsia filamentosa) is one of the most impressive and visually commanding barbs available in the freshwater aquarium hobby. Native to the fast-flowing, well-oxygenated rivers and hill streams of the Western Ghats in southern India — sharing much of its range with its close relative the Mascara Barb — this large, deep-bodied barb is prized for its extraordinary finnage and striking colouration. Breeding males develop dramatically elongated, filament-like extensions on the dorsal fin that trail behind them as they swim — the defining feature that gives this species its name — alongside vivid red-orange fin colouration, a bold black lateral spot, and a metallic silver-gold body that shimmers brilliantly under good lighting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003eStill relatively uncommon in the hobby outside of dedicated enthusiasts, the Filament Barb is a genuine showstopper in a large, well-planted river-style aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFilament Barb Care Guide\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare at a Glance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\" class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3 print:block print:space-y-1\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eScientific name: Dawkinsia filamentosa\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eAlso known as: Filament Barb, Blackspot Barb, Filamentous Barb\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eOrigin: Western Ghats, southern India — Kerala and Tamil Nadu\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eAdult size: up to 6 inches (15 cm)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eMinimum tank size: 75 gallons — longer tanks strongly preferred; minimum 47 inches (120 cm) frontage recommended\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eTemperature: 68–79°F (20–26°C) — a cooler water species that prefers the lower end of the tropical range\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003epH: 6.0–7.5\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eHardness: soft to moderately hard water\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eStrong filtration and high oxygenation essential\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eBest kept in groups of 6 or more\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eLifespan: 5–8 years with good care\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFilament Barb Tank Setup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003eA spacious aquarium with strong water flow, excellent oxygenation, and plenty of open swimming space suits these fish perfectly — reflecting their natural fast-moving hill stream habitat in the Western Ghats. Fine sand or smooth gravel substrate, smooth rocks, boulders, driftwood, and hardy plants such as Java Fern, Anubias, and Vallisneria provide structure and cover while leaving generous open water for the school to move freely. A filter providing 4–5 times the tank volume per hour is recommended to maintain the well-oxygenated, clean conditions this species demands.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding Your Filament Barbs\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003eOmnivores with a healthy appetite. A high quality flake or pellet forms an excellent staple diet, supplemented regularly with frozen or live foods such as bloodworm, brine shrimp, daphnia, and small insects. A varied, protein-rich diet and colour-enhancing foods will bring out the full intensity of the red-orange fin colouration in males and encourage the development of the dramatic dorsal filaments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow Many Filament Barbs Should You Keep?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003eAs a true schooling species, Filament Barbs should always be kept in groups of 6 or more. In a proper school, males will display competitively — fanning their extraordinary filament fins, intensifying their colouration, and chasing one another in a constantly dynamic and impressive show. A mixed sex group produces the most natural and visually rewarding behaviour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFilament Barb Tank Mates\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\" class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3 print:block print:space-y-1\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eOther large, active barbs such as Denison Barbs and Mascara Barbs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eRainbowfish and similarly active, large schooling fish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eLarger gouramis and peaceful medium to large community fish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eLoaches and robust bottom dwellers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eAvoid small, slow-moving, or delicately finned fish that may be stressed by their boisterous activity\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eAvoid very small fish that may be outcompeted for food or inadvertently harassed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Poseidon Aquatics And Plants","offers":[{"title":"2.5\"-3.5\"","offer_id":48531608535262,"sku":null,"price":39.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0645\/4768\/4574\/files\/Photo_c76bf674-ca83-49a4-aa92-26174c534b16.png?v=1741201181","url":"https:\/\/poseidonaquaticsandplants.com\/products\/filament-barb-dawkinsia-filamentosa","provider":"Poseidon Aquatics And Plants","version":"1.0","type":"link"}