All fish / Danionidae

Indian Hill Trout

Opsarius ardens

Also known as indian hill trout, barilius ardens, rosy barilius, malabar baril, ardens baril

A slim, fast-swimming cyprinid with a silvery body marked by bluish vertical bars and, in males, red to orange fins and flanks. It comes from clear, cool, fast hill streams and is kept for its bright breeding colours and lively shoaling behaviour in large, well-oxygenated tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

10 cm

Temperature

18 to 25 °C

pH

6.5 to 7.5

Smallest tank

300 litres

Keep as

Group of 6 or more

Diet

Carnivore: insects, bloodworm, brine shrimp, krill, quality flakes and pellets

Swims

Top of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Western Ghats, India (Karnataka, Kerala)

Breeding

An egg-scattering species that has rarely been bred in home aquariums. Males colour up strongly in spawning condition, but most fish in the trade are wild-caught.

Good to know

A powerful jumper that needs a tight lid, strong flow and plenty of oxygen; it will eat small fish and can bully slow tankmates. The species is regarded as threatened by habitat loss and collection, so buy from responsible sources.