Species · Oliotius oligolepis

Checkerboard barb: tank size, water and tank mates

Small peaceful barb.

Adult size5 cm (2.0 in)
Minimum tank20 US gal
Temperature20–24 °C (68–75 °F)
pH5.5–7.5
Temperamentpeaceful
Keep in groups of6+
Swimsmid
Shrimp & snailsCaution

Check a tank with Checkerboard barb

Good tank mates for Checkerboard barb

These species share its temperature range and temperament, with no fin-nipping or predation risk under our rules. Still check your tank size and bioload in the checker.

Black neon tetra · Black phantom tetra · Black ruby barb · Black skirt tetra · Bleeding heart tetra · Bloodfin tetra · Bristlenose pleco · Bronze corydoras · Buenos Aires tetra · Bumblebee goby · Cardinal tetra · Celestial pearl danio · Cherry barb · Clown killifish · Clown pleco · Colombian tetra · Congo tetra · Dwarf neon rainbowfish · Dwarf pencilfish · Emerald dwarf rasbora · Emperor tetra · Fancy goldfish · Gardneri killifish · Gold barb

Avoid with Checkerboard barb

Agassiz's dwarf cichlid (temperature) · Banded archerfish (temperature) · Banjo catfish (temperature) · Black ghost knifefish (predation) · Boeseman's rainbowfish (temperature) · Chili rasbora (temperature) · Clown loach (temperature) · Convict cichlid (temperature) · Demasoni cichlid (aggression) · Discus (temperature) · Firemouth cichlid (temperature) · German blue ram (temperature) · Jack Dempsey (predation) · Jewel cichlid (aggression) · Moonlight gourami (temperature) · Oscar (predation) · Paradise fish (aggression) · Pea puffer (aggression)

Sources

Checked 2026-11-09 · confidence: medium. These are cautious community guidelines, not guarantees. Not veterinary advice. Report an error.