Acrossocheilus fasciatus

Acrossocheilus fasciatus is a fast-swimming Asian cyprinid often seen in clear, oxygen-rich rivers. It’s appreciated by advanced hobbyists for its natural riverine behavior and algae-grazing tendencies.

Basic Profile

• Common name: Banded Acrossocheilus / River Barb
• Family: Cyprinidae
• Origin: Southern China, Vietnam, Laos
• Adult size: ~15–20 cm (6–8 in)
• Lifespan: 6–10 years (with good care)

Appearance

• Slender, torpedo-shaped body
• Dark horizontal band or broken bars along the flank
• Color intensifies in strong current and good water quality
• Subterminal mouth with slight scraping adaptation (algae grazer)

Tank Requirements

• Minimum tank size: 75 gallons (bigger is better)
• Setup: River-style aquarium
• Flow: Moderate to strong current
• Substrate: Sand or smooth gravel
• Decor: Rounded rocks, driftwood, open swimming space
• Lighting: Moderate (encourages algae growth)

Water Parameters

• Temperature: 20–26 °C (68–79 °F)
• pH: 6.5–7.8
• Hardness: Soft to moderately hard
• Oxygen: High (strong aeration recommended)

Diet

Omnivorous with herbivorous leanings:

• Algae wafers
• Blanched vegetables (zucchini, spinach)
• High-quality pellets
• Occasional frozen foods (bloodworms, brine shrimp)

👉 A varied diet prevents excessive algae scraping on décor or tank-mate

Temperament & Tankmates

• Generally peaceful, but very active
• Best kept singly or in small groups in large tanks
• Suitable tankmates:
  
• Hillstream loaches
• Larger danios
• Fast barbs
• Peaceful river catfish
• Avoid slow, long-finned fish

Breeding

• Rare in home aquariums
• Seasonal river spawner in the wild
• Commercial breeding usually hormone-assisted