View Full Version : Barb Fish ID - Perplexed?!?
29gallonsteve
06-16-2003, 1:46 PM
This is probably the first time that I am confused beyond belief.
I purchased a "Purple-eye Barb" the other day at the LFS. I have yet to be able to find any info on it. It has been in the tank for 4 days and is getting along well with the other barbs...
It is 3 inches long, white/silver/translucent, slightly tinted red fins...here is the good part, the eyes and area around the eyes are either purple, blue or black. Makes him look as if someone punched him out. You can see his internal organs when held up to light.
Any ideas??????
Thanks,
Steve
29gallonsteve
06-17-2003, 9:13 AM
OK - I have more info and am getting concerned...
The tank had the sign "Grape/Purple Barb".
It is a translucent Barb with a purple belly and dark/purple eyes.
If this is a painted fish, I am going to be pissed (and return it).
Any thoughts?
I have read that grape barbs are stripped albino/tinfoils, but this guy is transparent/translucent. If anything has happened to him, it is injection, not stripping :(
Help?!?
OrionGirl
06-17-2003, 9:38 AM
Could you get a picture? I know there are dyed barbs out there, but can't say if this is one or not. This page ( http://honors.montana.edu/~weif/firsttank/painted.phtml ) might help you decide if yours is or not. There are purple headed barbs (also called black ruby barbs), but they look nothing like you're described.
29gallonsteve
06-17-2003, 9:48 AM
Will try to get one...have you ever heard of a glass barb?
OrionGirl
06-17-2003, 9:57 AM
Glass barbs: http://ichtyonb1.mnhn.fr/Summary/SpeciesSummary.cfm?genusname=Chela&speciesname=laubuca
But I'm not sure if they are dyed.
29gallonsteve
06-18-2003, 4:23 PM
OrionGal,
Here is are 2 pics I found out there...any idea if this guy is dyed/injected???
If this is truly the ID of the fish that is in my tank, whether or not it is created or natural, I will be giving the LFS Owner a piece of my mind for selling a tetra as a barb!!!
http://store3.yimg.com/I/ekkwill_1746_5385471
http://www.centralpets.com/critter_images/fish/freshwater_fish/FWF_0006145_20021227145527.jpg
Thanks,
Steve
OrionGirl
06-18-2003, 4:31 PM
Albino Black Skirt Tetra. These are the fish that are often dyed, but with this coloration, it's natural. The albinos are selectively bred, though there are reports of native populations being made up of mostly the albino version. Same care as the black skirt, though I've heard these are not as aggressive. The bottom pic comes from here: http://centralpets.com/pages/critterpages/fish/freshwater_fish/FWF6145.shtml .
Fish Hunter
06-18-2003, 6:52 PM
You have to be careful around here they put new fish in the tank at the LFS and don't change the labels on the tank. Then maybe the next shift comes in don't know what they are doing and sell you something labeled wrong. Your is a tetra. If you ever run into grape barbs they are dyed albino tinfoil barbs.
I know this is a bit off-topic, but I've noticed that alot around here--the tank mis-labeling thing. Drives me nuts! I routinely like to browse the fish stores...I know my tank is maxed out but love to dream about having another aquarium someday. I learn so much by reading these forums and then going to the shops to actually see the fish that everyone is talking about... very educational. Makes me mad when the tank says one type of fish (or plant) is in there and I spend forever trying to find it...you know maybe it's hiding... and then I finally find out that it's not even in there!:mad:
It also irks me to have to ask (several times) what a particular fish (or plant) is because nothing on the tank label seems to be remotely close to it.
Okay, I'm done venting. I feel better now. :cool:
29gallonsteve
06-19-2003, 8:28 AM
I agree Beth...drives me crazy. Sometimes I have to pull teeth to get LFS owners to investigate a fish ID in question.
Oh...
By the way, the more I looked at the above pics of the tetra and compared it to my fish at home, the more confused I am.
I seems as my fish is a "barb" version of the tetra. Same dark eyes, same translucent body, but the fins have the shape and color of a gold barb (red/orange highlighting). It also has the upper body shimmer of a gold barb.
Puzzling.