All fish / Cyprinidae

Rohan's Barb

Dawkinsia rohani

Also known as rohan's barb, rohani barb, puntius rohani, red tail filament barb, rohan barb

A slim silvery barb with a dark blotch near the tail, a black mark on the gill area and reddish fins, and the dorsal fin may grow short trailing filaments in mature males. It is kept for its lively shoaling and subtle colour, and it suits a well-oxygenated stream-style tank with cooler water.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

7 cm

Temperature

20 to 26 °C

pH

6.5 to 7.5

Smallest tank

120 litres

Keep as

Shoal of 6 or more

Diet

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

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Southern Western Ghats, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, India (Tamiraparani and nearby river basins)

Breeding

It scatters eggs over plants or fine substrate with no parental care, and adults will eat the eggs. Few captive spawnings are recorded, but a separate tank with mesh or fine-leaved plants should work as for other Dawkinsia species.

Good to know

It needs clean, well-oxygenated water with good flow and is easily confused with other filament barbs such as Dawkinsia filamentosa or D. arulius. It is endemic to a small range in India, so captive-bred stock is preferable.