Cameroon Dwarf Amber Barb
Cameroon Dwarf Amber Barb (Barboides gracilis) is one of the smallest and most unusual barbs in the freshwater hobby. The translucent body has warm amber tones with a fine dark midlateral line, large eyes, and — most distinctively — vivid red-orange coloration at the base of the forked tail. At under 1 inch it is comparable in scale to the smallest Boraras species, and its translucent, almost ghostly appearance is quite unlike most barbs.
Feeding & Care Tip: Sera Vipan Baby crushed very fine and Hikari Micro Pellets soaked thoroughly are the best daily staples — this tiny fish requires very fine food. Supplement 2–3× per week with Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Baby Brine Shrimp. Feed very small amounts multiple times daily in a calm environment. This is a specialist species requiring appropriately sized food particles.
Native to the freshwater streams and pools of West and Central Africa — Cameroon, Gabon, and Congo basin. This species inhabits slow to still, soft, slightly acidic water with dense vegetation. It is one of the smallest barbs in the world — truly nano in scale. The translucent body with visible internal organs and vivid orange-red tail tip is a remarkable combination for a fish in the barb family.
Keep in groups of at least ten — this tiny, timid species genuinely needs numbers for confidence. Keep only in nano or species-specific setups with other very small, peaceful species. Any active or larger fish will outcompete it at feeding time and intimidate it into hiding permanently.
A specialist fish for the dedicated nano aquarist who appreciates the unusual. In a well-planted nano setup with dark substrate and tannin additions, a school of Cameroon Dwarf Amber Barbs creates a subtle but genuinely beautiful display — tiny amber-toned fish with glowing orange tail tips drifting through plants.
Care & Ideal Parameters
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Temperament | Peaceful — nano specialist |
| Typical Adult Size | 0.8 inches (2 cm) |
| Min. Group Size | 10 minimum |
| Ideal Temp | 72–79°F (22–26°C) |
| Ideal pH | 6.0–7.0 |
| Ideal GH | 1–8 dGH |
| Ideal KH | 0–4 dKH |
| Staple Food | Sera Vipan Baby (crushed fine); Hikari Micro Pellets (soaked thoroughly) |
| Treat / Supplement | Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Baby Brine Shrimp |
| Origin | Cameroon, Gabon, Congo basin, West/Central Africa |
| Notes | One of the smallest barbs in the world. Translucent body with vivid orange-red tail base. West/Central African — unusual geographic origin. Nano specialist — very fine food essential. Keep only with other nano species. |
