Snakeskin Rhombo Barb Systomus Rhomboocellatus 3cm
Image for illustration purposes only. Exact colours, patterns, and size may vary between individuals.
Delivered alive, guaranteed
Live fish delivery is £20 per order, delivered Thursday, Friday or Saturday, arriving before 1:00pm on the day you choose at checkout. Packed by aquatic specialists and shipped overnight with a dedicated livestock courier, every fish is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee with automatic refunds. See How Live Fish Delivery Works for full details.
When will my fish arrive?
| Order placed | Delivery day |
|---|---|
| Up to Monday 11:00am | Thursday (that week) |
| Monday after 11:00am – Tuesday 11:00am | Friday (that week) |
| Tuesday after 11:00am – Wednesday 11:00am | Saturday (that week) |
| Wednesday after 11:00am – Sunday (any time) | Thursday (following week) |
Overview
The Snakeskin Rhombo Barb is a compact, peaceful barb whose golden body carries a chain of dark rhombus-shaped blotches edged in iridescent scales, giving a snakeskin effect. It comes from the blackwater rainforest streams of Borneo. A shy but sociable schooling fish, it suits softwater community and biotope aquariums.
- Adult Size: Around 8 cm (3 in); females slightly larger and plumper
- Lifespan: 4–6 years
Origin
- Native to: Borneo, Indonesia and Malaysia
- Habitat: Weedy, acidic blackwater forest streams and peat swamps
Feeding
- Diet: Omnivorous, leaning towards small live foods
- Preferred Foods: Daphnia, Artemia, bloodworm, cyclops, quality micro pellets, flake
- Feeding Habits: Small feeds once or twice daily; frozen or live food improves colour and condition
Tank Mates
- Best with: Rasboras, tetras, small loaches, peaceful dwarf cichlids
- Avoid: Boisterous fin-nippers, large or predatory fish
Aggression & Behaviour
- Temperament: Peaceful and slightly shy
- Territoriality: Mild sparring among males at spawning time only
Experience Level
- Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate
- Challenges: Needs a large group, soft water and cover to settle
Water Parameters
- Water Type: Freshwater, soft and acidic
- Temperature: 24–27°C (75–81°F)
- pH: 5.0–7.0
- Hardness: 1–10 dGH
- Flow: Slow to moderate
- Tank Size: Minimum 100 litres for a group of eight or more
Final Notes
Buy a group of at least eight; singles or small numbers stay skittish and colourless. A dark substrate, floating plants, leaf litter and subdued lighting bring out the pattern and mimic the peat swamps it comes from. Egg scatterers that spawn among fine-leaved plants, with females rounder and less colourful than males. Once settled in soft, tannin-stained water this is a striking and easy-going barb that rewards a little patience.
Please Note
The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Birchwood Aquatic Centre shop. Species sold at the Birchwood Aquatic Centre physical store may differ from ones available to order to your door.
Frequently Asked Questions
In insulated boxes designed for live transport, packed by aquatic specialists,
overnight with a licensed live-animal courier, arriving before 1pm.
It is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee.
Photograph it within 4 hours of delivery, email info@birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk with your order number, and the refund is processed automatically. The cover continues for 7 days after arrival.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You pick your day at checkout; please choose a day someone is home.
Yes. One basket, one checkout; the fish arrive with the specialist courier and the rest of your order ships as normal.
We can deliver to UK mainland only for live fish.
Follow the five-minute acclimatisation steps in our When Your Fish Arrive guide: float the bags, add tank water gradually, net the fish in, lights low, feed tomorrow.