All fish / Danionidae

Pulchellus Barilius

Opsarius pulchellus

Also known as barilius pulchellus, opsarius pulchellus, pulchellus barilius, hill trout

This slim, fast hill-stream fish has a silvery body marked with rows of bluish vertical bars, and males show orange or reddish tints on the fins in breeding colour. Keepers like it for its active swimming and bright colours in a well-oxygenated stream-style tank.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

10 cm

Temperature

18 to 24 °C

pH

6.5 to 7.5

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

Group of 6 or more

Diet

Carnivore: insect larvae, bloodworm, brine shrimp, small insects and quality flakes or pellets

Swims

Top of the tank

Lifespan

4 to 6 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Northeast India (Brahmaputra and Barak drainages), Bangladesh and Myanmar

Breeding

It scatters eggs over gravel in flowing water with no parental care. Captive breeding is rarely reported and is considered difficult.

Good to know

It needs cool, highly oxygenated water with strong flow and a tight lid, as it jumps readily. It may eat very small tankmates, so keep it with robust, similarly sized fish.