🐟 Snake Skin Barb (Desmopuntius rhomboocellatus)
Freshwater Barb • Peaceful Community Fish • Active Schooling Species • Blackwater Specialist
 
📋 The Snake Skin Barb (Desmopuntius rhomboocellatus) is a beautiful Bornean barb known for its snakeskin-style rhomboid body pattern. Dark, diamond-shaped markings sit over a warm orange to reddish body, giving this fish a unique “lattice” look that really pops in planted or blackwater aquariums.
In nature it inhabits soft, acidic, tannin-stained waters, making it an excellent blackwater specialist for aquarists who enjoy peat, leaf litter, and driftwood setups. In the aquarium it behaves as a peaceful community fish, especially when kept in a proper active schooling species group of 8–10 or more, where it shows natural shoaling and confident midwater swimming.
With suitable water conditions and good group size, the Snake Skin Barb becomes a striking centerpiece for small to medium community tanks, combining unusual patterning with calm, social behavior.
 
💡 Highlights
✨ Snakeskin Rhomboid Pattern: Distinct diamond markings over an orange-red body
⚪ Peaceful Community Fish: Ideal for calm, small-to-medium tank mates
📏 Active Schooling Species: Best kept in groups of 8–10+
✅ Blackwater Specialist: Thrives in soft, slightly acidic, tannin-rich water
🐟 Perfect for Planted Tanks: Looks stunning over dark substrate and plants