COMMON NAMES: Red barb, rosy barb
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Puntius conchonius
ADULT SIZE: 6 inches
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 5 years
Characteristics
| Family | Cyprinidae |
|---|---|
| Origin | Bengal, India |
| Social | Active, peaceful |
| Tank Level | All areas |
| Minimum Tank Size | 30 gallon |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Breeding | Egglayer |
| Care | Easy to Intermediate |
| pH | 6.5 |
| Hardiness | up to 10 dGH |
| Temperature | 64 to 72 F (18 to 22 C) |
Origin and Distribution
Rosy barbs originate in northern India, in the states of West Bengal and Assam. Feral populations are also found in Singapore, Australia, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Colombia. Rosy barbs natively live in lakes and fast-flowing water in subtropical climates.
Colors and Markings
Males have a brighter red coloration as opposed to the females that look more gold or silver than red. Both genders have black markings on the fins and sides. The rosy barb has a torpedo-shaped body and a forked tail. It has only one dorsal fin. Like other cyprinid fish, rosy barbs lack an adipose fin but have a second dorsal fin to the rear of the first.
Tankmates
Ideally, house no fewer than five rosy barbs in an aquarium as they are a schooling fish that will feel stressed in solitude. Rosy barbs also have a tendency for aggressive or “fin-nipping” behavior; keeping them in schools of five or more will help reduce that tendency. Because of their fin-nipping nature, avoid housing them with slower-moving, long-finned fish.
Rosy barbs make a great community fish. They socialize well with other nonaggressive fish of a similar size that enjoy cooler water. Fish including swordtails, gouramis, angels, knife fish, ropefish, paradise fish, danios, tetras, many American cichlids, and other barbs make suitable tankmates. Aquarium hobbyists have had success using rosy barbs as a dither fish in cichlid tanks; their brightly colored presence is evidence of a lack of predators nearby which attracts shy cichlids out of their hiding spots. Rosy barbs are agile enough to outswim most cichlids of the same size.
Rosy Barb Habitat and Care
Because they are one of the hardiest barbs, they are quite easy to care for in captivity. Always keep a secure lid on your aquarium, as rosy barbs are very good jumpers.
As long as you avoid extreme water conditions, rosy barbs can adapt to a wide range of conditions. Known to tolerate higher levels of nitrates, they are a good candidate for a new tank; they are more likely to survive the initial nitrogen cycling.
Although a 20-gallon tank will suffice for a school of rosy barbs, a 30-gallon tank or larger is better. Live plants are ideal, but avoid getting soft-leaved plants. Rosy barbs will nibble on plant matter in the tank, and soft-leaved plants may not survive. Java moss has been used readily with rosy barbs, offering them shade and shelter.
They tolerate a larger temperature range than most fish, from 64 to 72 F. Because of this, they can be kept as pond fish as well. Move them inside during the winter, especially in areas that are prone to severe weather.
Rosy Barb Diet and Feeding
Rosy barbs are omnivorous and opportunistic eaters. The rosy barb likes a variety of foods including vegetables as well as meaty foods. Feed them plant matter, insects, worms, crustaceans, flakes, pellets, and frozen foods. They will eat live foods as long as they are small enough, such as insects, worms or crustaceans, including brine shrimp and bloodworms.
In order to provide some nice variety, boil some zucchini or peas for them as a treat. Because of their tendency to graze on vegetation, rosy barbs eat away at hair algae that grow in aquariums. Rosy barbs are happy eaters, so be careful to not overfeed.
How to Feed Your Herbivorous Fish
Gender Differences
These fish are difficult to sex when they are young. As they get older, the male becomes redder and more slender. The female remains smaller but plumper. Females lack the brighter red coloration of the males and are more yellow, olive, or gold.
Breeding the Rosy Barb
Rosy barbs are moderately easy to breed and become sexually mature when they have attained a size of 2.5 inches. When selecting a tank for breeding rosy barbs, a 20- or 30-gallon is optimal. Rosy barbs will only breed in water that is a few inches deep, but make sure to raise fry in the larger tank or their growth may become stunted. Allow for plenty of plants in the tank as they offer seclusion as well as a place to lay eggs.
For a breeding set up, have one male and two females. Select breeding pairs from a school that has excellent markings and strong color. When ready to breed, the female will change color and become even more vibrant.
When a male and female initiate breeding, they display behaviors of play and mock mating. Once the female's eggs are fertilized, she will scatter several hundred eggs onto the substrate, onto a plant or decoration, or simply expel them into the open water. The eggs are adhesive. Neither parent cares for the eggs after spawning and will eat them if not separated from the tank immediately.
The eggs will hatch in about 30 hours. Free-swimming fry should be fed infusoria, a liquid fry food, or newly hatched baby brine at least three times a day. Pay close attention when feeding; uneaten foods can quickly foul the water, and these fry require clean water to survive.
