All fish / Cyprinidae

Manipur Golden Barb

Pethia manipurensis

Also known as manipur barb, golden barb manipur, puntius manipurensis, loktak barb

A small, deep-bodied barb with a golden body, dark spots near the gill cover and tail base, and red-tinged fins on breeding males. It comes from the Loktak Lake area of Manipur and is kept as a lively, colourful shoaling fish that copes with cooler water than most tropical barbs.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

5 cm

Temperature

18 to 25 °C

pH

6.5 to 7.5

Smallest tank

80 litres

Keep as

Shoal of 8 or more

Diet

Omnivore: quality flakes and granules, frozen bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp, some plant matter

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

4 to 6 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

India: Loktak Lake and the Manipur basin

Breeding

It scatters eggs among fine-leaved plants and gives no parental care, and adults will eat the eggs. Spawning is fairly easy in a separate, well-planted tank, with the adults taken out once spawning is over.

Good to know

It is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List because its tiny native range is under threat, so buy captive-bred stock where you can. Do not keep it in very warm tanks for long periods.