Siamese Carp

Acrossocheilus parallens is native to rivers and streams of Taiwan and adjacent southern China, where it inhabits moderately fast-flowing, clear-water streams with rocky or sandy substrates. It is a medium-to-large barb displaying a series of sharp, clean vertical black bars across a bright silver body — a pattern reminiscent of some Barbus species but with notably larger scales. Males are slimmer and more colourful than the deeper-bodied females.

In the aquarium, this species is undemanding and adapts readily to standard tropical conditions, though it appreciates moderate water movement and good water quality. It is an active, peaceful schooling fish that does best in groups of five or more. A spacious tank with open swimming space, smooth rocks, and some plant cover suits it ideally.

Acrossocheilus parallens accepts a wide range of aquarium foods including sinking pellets, spirulina wafers, frozen invertebrates, and blanched vegetables. It is entirely peaceful and works well in large community aquariums alongside other medium-to-large Asian cyprinids.

Water: 20–26°C, pH 6.5–7.5, moderate hardness; moderate current preferred. Tank: 250 L minimum; open swimming space, smooth rocks, some plant cover. Feeding: Omnivore; sinking pellets, spirulina, frozen bloodworm, blanched vegetables. Breeding: Egg-scatterer; not commonly bred in home aquaria. Compatibility: Peaceful; ideal with other medium-large Asian cyprinids, danios, and medium catfish.