Care
The Lipstick Barb is known only from Lake Indawgyi and small tributaries of the Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwady) River at Myitkyina in Myanmar. Unfortunately, exact habitat details are somewhat scarce, but the lake environment consists of relatively clear water with areas of dense marginal vegetation. This species has a delicate beauty and is generally peaceful towards other fish, providing they do not have fancy long fins - such species are best avoided. However, male Lipstick Barbs can be rather antagonistic with one another. This behaviour can be controlled by acquiring a large sized shoal (15-20 specimens) with at least 3 females to every male. In addition, despite the small adult size, the tank must be spacious and furnished with plenty of decor to crate visual barriers. Dense areas of robust planting, tangles of driftwood, rocky caves, and cobbles can all be used to good effect. The water should be well-filtered with a decent level of oxygenation and areas of moderate current. Frequent partial water changes should be carried out to keep nitrate levels at a minimum. May also be seen on sale as Red Lipstick Barb.
Feeding
Flake, micropellets, slow-sinking pellet foods, frozen foods such as mosquito larvae, brineshrimp, daphnia, Mysis shrimp etc. May nibble at soft leaved plants.
Breeding
A separate spawning aquarium should be set up with soft, acidic water, a substrate of marbles, and plenty of fine-leaved plants. Filtration should be performed with a gentle air-driven (mature) sponge filter, and the water temperature set at approx 25 °C. A pair of well-conditioned fish should be carefully acclimatised across, with spawning often commencing as the first rays of morning sunshine hit the aquarium glass. Eggs will be scattered over the plants and marbles, and the hungry parents must be removed immediately after the spawning or else they will predate on the eggs. The eggs should hatch within 36-48 hours and once the fry are free-swimming, they can be offered microworms and finely powdered flake.
