All fish / Cyprinidae

Rosy Barb

Pethia conchonius

Also known as rosy barb, red rosy barb, long-finned rosy barb, neon rosy barb, gold rosy barb, glo rosy barb, puntius conchonius, barbus conchonius, rosey barb, ปลาเสือตอโรซี่, ロージーバルブ, 玫瑰鲫

The rosy barb is a sturdy, deep-bodied barb with a silvery body and a black spot near the tail, and males turn a strong pinkish red when in breeding condition. It is widely kept because it is hardy, active and copes with cooler, unheated rooms, and many colour and long-finned strains are sold.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

10 cm

Temperature

18 to 25 °C

pH

6 to 8

Smallest tank

120 litres

Keep as

Shoal of 6 or more

Diet

Omnivore: quality flakes and pellets, vegetable matter, bloodworm, brine shrimp and daphnia

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan (Ganges and Brahmaputra basins)

Breeding

It is an egg scatterer that spawns readily among fine-leaved plants or spawning mops, often in the morning. Adults eat the eggs, so remove them after spawning; eggs hatch in about a day and fry take infusoria and then baby brine shrimp, making breeding easy.

Good to know

Can nip the fins of slow, long-finned tankmates such as bettas and angelfish, which is reduced by keeping a larger group. Prefers cooler water than most tropical fish, so avoid long periods above 26°C.