All fish / Cyprinidae

Black Ruby Barb

Pethia nigrofasciata

Also known as black ruby barb, purple-headed barb, ruby barb, black barb, puntius nigrofasciatus, barbus nigrofasciatus, ブラックルビー・バルブ, black ruby, 黑宝石鱼, 黑带无须鲃

A deep-bodied little barb with a golden-yellow body crossed by three or four broad black bars. Breeding males turn a deep, almost purple-black, and their heads go ruby red, which is how the fish got its name. People keep it because it is hardy, lively and colourful, and it does well in a planted community tank.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

5.5 cm

Temperature

22 to 27 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

80 litres

Keep as

Shoal of 8 or more

Diet

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

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 7 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Southwestern Sri Lanka (Kelani to Nilwala river basins)

Breeding

It scatters its eggs over fine-leaved plants or spawning mops and gives no parental care. Breeding is fairly easy in a separate soft, slightly acidic tank, but take the adults out after spawning because they eat the eggs.

Good to know

Sri Lanka protects the species and limits its export, so most fish on sale are captive-bred. If you keep too few, they may nip fins, so keep a proper shoal and avoid tankmates with long fins.