{{Short description|Species of fish}} {{Speciesbox | image = Puntius oligolepis.jpg | image_caption = Checker barb in an aquarium | status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = <ref>{{cite iucn |author=Lumbantobing, D. |year=2021 |title=''Oliotius oligolepis'' |volume=2021 |article-number=e.T91063698A91063711 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T91063698A91063711.en |access-date=18 January 2025}}</ref> | genus = Oliotius | parent_authority = Kottelat, 2013 | species = oligolepis | display_parents = 3 | authority = (Bleeker, 1853) | range_map = | range_map_caption = | synonyms = * ''Capoeta oligolepis'' <small>Bleeker, 1853</small> * ''Puntius oligolepis'' <small>(Bleeker, 1853)</small> }} The '''checker barb''' ('''''Oliotius oligolepis''''')<ref name=Kottelat2013>{{cite journal|author=Kottelat, M. |year=2013|url=http://rmbr.nus.edu.sg/rbz/biblio/s27/rbz_S27.pdf |title=The Fishes of the Inland Waters of Southeast Asia: A Catalogue and Core Bibliography of the Fishes Known to Occur in Freshwaters, Mangroves and Estuaries|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202225925/http://rmbr.nus.edu.sg/rbz/biblio/s27/rbz_S27.pdf |archive-date=December 2, 2013|journal=The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology|volume= 2013|issue= Supplement No. 27}}</ref> is a species of cyprinid fish endemic to creeks, rivers, and lakes in Sumatra, Indonesia. It has also been established in the wild in Colombia. The adult males have red fins with black tips. It will grow up to a length of {{convert|5|cm|in}} TL.<ref>{{FishBase |genus= Oliotius|species= oligolepis| month = October | year = 2013}}</ref> This species is the only known member of its genus.<ref name=Kottelat2013/>
==Etymology== The genus name ''Oliotius'' is derived as a combination of a portion of the specific epithet ''oligolepis'' and its former genus name ''Puntius''.<ref name=Kottelat2013/>
The common name "checker barb" (as well as such related names as "checkered barb", "chequer barb" and "checkerboard barb") derives from the black marks on its side similar in appearance to those found on a checkerboard.
==Taxonomic issue== This species has sometimes been placed in the genus ''Barbus'' though ''Barbus oligolepis'' <small>Battalgil, 1941</small> properly refers to another fish species that is only found in Turkey. Since Bleeker's ''oligolepis'' is not placed in ''Barbus'', both names are valid.<ref>{{Cof record|spid=42767 |title=''Barbus tauricus oligolepis''}}</ref>
==Habitat== Checker barbs natively live in a tropical climate and prefer water with a pH of 5.5 - 7.5, a water hardness of 10.0 dGH, and a temperature range of {{cvt|64–77|°F}}.<ref>https://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/oliotius-oligolepis/</ref> Their omnivorous diet consists of small worms, crustaceans, insects, and plants.
An egg-scattering fish, they spawn early in the morning on plants that are the center of the male's territory. Once the spawning is completed, the pair will attempt to eat the eggs that they can find.
==In the aquarium== The checker barb has commercial importance in the aquarium trade industry.
It has a mild temperament and thus is well suited to a community aquarium.
The checker barb is a schooling fish - it should be kept in groups of no fewer than 6-10.
It occupies the medium to lower levels of the aquarium.
An ideal diet consists of both prepared and live or frozen foods.
The checker barb is a prolific spawner that lends itself well to the novice breeder.
==See also== *List of freshwater aquarium fish species
== References == * {{cite book | author = Lambert, Derek J | title = Freshwater Aquarium Fish | location = Edison, New Jersey | publisher = Chartwell Books | year = 1997 | pages = [https://archive.org/details/freshwateraquari00dere/page/15 15] | isbn = 0-7858-0867-1 | url-access = registration | url = https://archive.org/details/freshwateraquari00dere/page/15 }} {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[http://www.fishbase.org/Photos/ThumbnailsSummary.php?ID=4763 Photos from Fishbase]
{{Taxonbar|from=Q1303896}}
Category:Cyprinid fish of Asia Category:Freshwater fish of Indonesia Category:Fishkeeping Category:Fish described in 1853 Category:Taxa named by Pieter Bleeker Category:Smiliogastrinae