All fish / Cyprinidae

Golden Barb

Pethia aurea

Also known as gold barb, golden dwarf barb, puntius aureus, pethia aureus

A small golden barb from northeast India with a dark spot near the tail base, and males turn a richer orange-gold when in condition. It is kept for its warm colour, lively shoaling behaviour and suitability for planted community tanks with cooler water.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

4 cm

Temperature

18 to 25 °C

pH

6.5 to 7.5

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

Shoal of 8 or more

Diet

Omnivore: small live and frozen foods such as daphnia and bloodworm, plus quality flakes and micro pellets

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

India (Brahmaputra drainage, Assam and West Bengal)

Breeding

An egg-scattering species that spawns among fine-leaved plants or moss and gives no parental care. Breeding is reasonably easy in a separate tank, but adults should be removed afterwards because they eat the eggs.

Good to know

Rarely traded and sometimes confused with other small golden Pethia or Puntius species. It prefers subtropical temperatures, so avoid keeping it permanently warm.