The best replacement for barbs is compression fittings.

The best alternatives to barbs are rated as following:
★★★★★  compression fittings
★★★★  benzos
★★  rosy barbs
  tiger barbs
  tetras
  red tail tinfoil barbs

Your alternative for barbs is not listed? Suggest!
Speaking about barbs, one probably shouldn't forget about cichlids.

Other search terms related to barbs and their ratings are:
★★★★★ cichlids
★★★★ tetras
★★★ discus
★★★ african cichlids
★★★ gouramis
★ angelfish
★ rams
★ danios
★ african cichlid
★ neons
★ neon tetras
tiger barbs
convict cichlids
You have in mind a companion for barbs and it is not yet here? Propose!



Google Trends

Scale is based on the average worldwide traffic of barbs in all years. Click on graph for more.
barbs
compression fittings
benzos