All fish / Cyprinidae

Pygmy Barb

Pethia phutunio

Also known as spottedsail barb, spotted sail barb, dwarf barb, phutunio barb, puntius phutunio, barbus phutunio, フツニオバルブ, 斑鳍鲃

A tiny barb with a silvery body crossed by dark blotches and bars, while males turn a coppery orange with a dark spot on the dorsal fin. It is kept for its small size, gentle nature and the lively display of males in a planted tank.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

3 cm

Temperature

18 to 26 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

45 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, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Myanmar (Ganges and Brahmaputra basins)

Breeding

An egg scatterer that spawns among fine plants with no parental care, and adults will eat the eggs. Breeding is fairly easy in a separate, densely planted tank, with the fry needing infusoria at first.

Good to know

Very small, so avoid housing it with large or boisterous fish that may bully or eat it. It prefers slightly cool water and does poorly in very warm tropical setups.