mascara barb

Scientific name Dawkinsia assimilis
Descriptor Jerdon
Year of description 1849
IUCN category (World) VU
Family Cyprinidae
Genus Dawkinsia
Dawkinsia assimilis Dawkinsia assimilis

Introduction

Dawkinsia assimilis, commonly known as mascara barb, is a fresh water fish from the Asia.

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Who is it?

Morphology

  • Average size
    9 cm
  • Maximum size
    12 cm
  • Average size
    9 cm
  • Maximum size
    12 cm

How to recognize the mascara barb ?

The mascara barb measures between 9 and 12 cm. This fish is bicolore with a predominantly orange, argent and rose body.

Behaviour & Life cycle

  • diet
    omnivorous
  • Sociability
    living in small groups
  • territorial
    No
  • Way of living
    diurnal

The mascara barb is a fish living in small groups naturally found at mid-depth. The members of each group are organized around a well established hierarchy. This species is omnivorous .

n general, this species does not care much about other animals crossing its path.

Reproduction

  • Reproduction
    ovipare qui pond en eau libre
  • Polygamy
    Yes

The mascara barb is a fish ovipare qui pond en eau libre. In this species, the dominant males are polygamous and reproduce each season with several females.

Harmless species

This species does not represent any particular threats to humans when encountered in its natural environment.

Where to find it?

Conservation status of populations (IUCN)

World : VU

What is its habitat?

Natural environment characteristics

  • Temperature
    19 - 25 °C
  • pH (acidity)
    6 - 7
  • gh (hardness)
    5 - 15
  • Flow
    Medium

Biotope presentation

This animal evolves in areas characterized by a strong presence of vegetation (aquatic and marsh plants, decaying organic matter, roots...).

Species of the same biotope

Main recommendations for fishkeeping

Deontology

In order to preserve wildlife, if you acquire this animal, it must not be released into the wild. See also, the Fishipedia charter.

Fishipedia supports the practice of responsible and environmentally friendly aquarium keeping. We encourage maintenance if it is motivated by a desire to understand the biological functioning of living things and if it is done with respect for animal life.

We believe that aquaristics is an opening to the discovery of aquatic environments, especially freshwater, and that this knowledge is necessary to better protect and respect these environments. Logically, we refute the compulsive purchase of animals that would not find a sufficient and / or adapted place in the host aquarium.

Our recommendations

  • Min volume
    200 liters
  • Population min
    10
  • Temperature
    19 - 25 °C
  • pH (acidity)
    6 - 7

Characteristics

  • Difficulty breeding
    easy
  • Robustness
    tolerant
  • Behaviour
    peaceful
  • Availability
    occasional

General reminders

It is strongly advised to read the complete dedicated file and to get information on the feedbacks of maintenance of the envisaged animal, this to avoid any potential conflict whose end result is generally the death of the individual (or the other inhabitants). It is important not to overload your aquarium to limit pollution. This will make maintenance easier.

In nature, animals are subject to weather conditions and live in waters with variable characteristics. The recommendations offered by our team for aquarium maintenance are a guidance and cannot be assimilated to scientific datas.

General reminder on maintenance datas

Le démarrage d'un aquarium est une partie primordiale pour l'équilibre et le bien-être des poissons. Lorsque l'on met en eau un aquarium, l'eau passe naturellement par un cycle biologique : le cycle de l'azote. Celui-ci dure environ trois semaines. Tous les 2 jours, nous vous conseillons de tester votre eau jusqu'à ce que le taux de nitrite soit à zéro pendant plusieurs jours d'affilée.

Pour accélérer ce cycle, vous pouvez utiliser un activateur de bactéries comme JBL Denitrol. Cette solution riche en bactéries vivantes et enzymes permet une mise en place rapide du cycle de l'azote. Les poissons peuvent alors être introduits plus rapidement.

Il est important de tester l'eau de son aquarium régulièrement pour maintenir un environnement sain pour les poissons et les autres habitants. Les tests d'eau permettent de mesurer les niveaux de différents paramètres tels que le pH, la dureté totale, ainsi que les taux de nitrates, de nitrites et d'ammoniaque.

Pour réaliser ces tests, vous pouvez utiliser des produits d'analyse spécialisés tels que JBL ProScan qui permet de réaliser un diagnostic de l'eau directement via un smartphone. Il existe également des coffrets de tests plus classiques de bandelettes, comme JBL PROAQUATEST.

En cas d’usage de l’eau du robinet, vous pouvez utiliser un conditionneur d’eau de type Biotopol de JBL pour éliminer les substances nocives comme le chlore, le cuivre, le plomb et le zinc. Les conditionneurs d'eau garantissent une meilleure santé aux poissons et une meilleure croissance des plantes.

Chlorine and chloramine are dangerous for the health of animals. Used to disinfect water, these agents are present in significant quantities in tap water. We recommend using an anti-chlorine agent every time you change the water. In addition to chlorine, treatments and medicines sold for aquarium use sometimes contain dangerous heavy metals in high doses.

Specific needs for the mascara barb

The mascara barb is a species which lives naturally at a temperature between 19 °C and 25 °C. For proper maintenance, the temperature should never exceed the 28°C for long periods. Nitrate levels should remain below 50mg/L. To keep the water clean and unpolluted, plan on changing 20% to 30% of the water volume each month.

Breeding this species is accessible to any hobbyist. It is recommended to follow some basic rules and to be rigorous to achieve a good maintenance.

This species is generally available in specialized shops or from aquarium clubs. Specimens that have been bred for a long time are easier to breed, but special water parameters must be respected.

Cohabitation & Environment

Being a living in small groups fish, it is advisable to install at least 10 individuals in an aquarium of 200 liters minimum. Group maintenance is a prerequisite to ensure their well-being. Lonely individuals tend to quickly become stressed and become especially susceptible to disease. Although sometimes certain groups can "merge", mixing several gregarious species living in the same zone of life is not recommended if the volume is not consequent. The mascara barb needs a large living space, therefore it is advisable to keep it in an aquarium with a frontage of at least 120 cm.

The mascara barb is a peaceful species that generally does not exhibit behavioral problems in a community aquarium.

This fish being polygamous, the male must always be maintained with several females. A ratio of three females to one male seems to be a good compromise for the constitution of the group.

The species enjoys a particularly vegetation-rich environment. The addition of plants will provide many useful hiding places for resting. These areas are also conducive to possible breeding in the aquarium.

Tips for feeding

The mascara barb is omnivorous.

This species can eat dry food (flakes, pellets), fresh food and frozen food. To avoid deficiencies, it is recommended to vary the types of food.

You should not overfeed your residents to avoid polluting the water. For most species, it is better to feed a few small portions each day rather than one large meal.

Food recommendations from our partner JBL - Products PRONOVO

Reproduction protocol

  • Maintenance difficulty
    moderate
  • egg-laying protection
    No

Hybridization risks

In general, it is advised not to mix several species of the same genus or different varieties of the same species, to avoid the risks of hybridization.

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Sources & Contributions

Participation & Validation

The Fishipedia team and specialist contributors are committed to providing high-quality content. However, although the information comes from scientific sources or testimonials from specialists, the cards may contain inaccuracies.

Benoit Chartrer

Benoit Chartrer

Translation

Translation done with the valuable contribution of our translators, who make this information available to a wider audience. We sincerely thank them for their commitment.

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Species of the same biotope

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