All fish / Cyprinidae

Mascara Barb

Dawkinsia assimilis

Also known as mascara barb, mascarra barb, indian mascara barb, filament barb, dawkinsia assimilis, puntius assimilis, マスカラバルブ, 睫毛鲃

A sleek silvery barb with a dark blotch near the tail, a black streak through the eye that gives it its trade name, and red-edged fins that become vivid in mature males. It is kept for its active shoaling behaviour and its striking colours in a well-oxygenated, flowing river-style tank.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

9 cm

Temperature

20 to 26 °C

pH

6.5 to 7.5

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

Shoal of 6 or more

Diet

Omnivore: quality flakes and granules, frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp and daphnia, plus some vegetable matter

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Southwestern India (Western Ghats rivers of Kerala and Karnataka)

Breeding

An egg-scattering species that spawns among plants or fine-leaved mops and gives no parental care, so adults will eat the eggs. It is rarely bred in home aquaria, and most trade fish are wild-caught or farmed.

Good to know

An active, fast swimmer that needs a long tank with good flow and oxygen; it is often confused with the similar Filament Barb (Dawkinsia filamentosa) and other Dawkinsia species.