All fish / Cyprinidae

Golden Dwarf Barb

Pethia gelius

Also known as golden barb, dwarf barb, gelius barb, golden dwarf barb, puntius gelius, barbus gelius, ゲリウス・バルブ, 金色侏儒鲃

A tiny barb with a golden to coppery body marked by a few dark blotches along the flank and at the base of the tail. It is kept for its calm nature and small size, which makes it a good choice for planted nano and community tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

3 cm

Temperature

18 to 25 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

40 litres

Keep as

Shoal of 8 or more

Diet

Omnivore: small flakes, micro pellets, daphnia, brine shrimp and bloodworm

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

India and Bangladesh (Ganges and Brahmaputra basins)

Breeding

An egg scatterer that lays adhesive eggs on the undersides of fine-leaved plants, with no parental care. Spawning is fairly easy in a separate planted tank with cooler, soft water, but the adults should be removed as they will eat the eggs.

Good to know

Prefers cooler water than many tropical fish, so avoid very warm tanks; keep with small, gentle tankmates as it is easily outcompeted at feeding times.