All fish / Cyprinidae

Shalyni barb

Pethia shalynius

Also known as shalyni barb, shalynius barb, puntius shalynius, meghalaya barb

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A small, slim barb with a silvery body, a dark mark near the tail base and a bluish stripe along the side; breeding males turn a rich red. It is kept for its lively shoaling behaviour and the bright colour males show when competing in a group.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

4 cm

Temperature

18 to 25 °C

pH

6.5 to 7.5

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

Shoal of 8 or more

Diet

Omnivore: quality flakes and granules, plus live or frozen daphnia, bloodworm and brine shrimp

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Meghalaya, northeast India (Umiam/Brahmaputra drainage)

Breeding

An egg scatterer that gives no parental care, spawning among fine plants or over mesh. Spawning is fairly easy in a separate tank with a conditioned pair or group, and the tiny fry need infusoria at first.

Good to know

Comes from cool hill streams, so avoid keeping it too warm for long periods. It is skittish in small numbers and can be confused with other red Pethia species such as the rosy and ticto barbs.