All fish / Cyprinidae

Thelys Barb

Pethia thelys

Also known as thelys barb, puntius thelys, pethia thelys, blackspot barb

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A small, compact barb from Myanmar with a silvery body, dark blotches near the tail and on the fins, and males that turn reddish when in breeding colour. It is kept for its lively shoaling behaviour and suitability for peaceful planted community tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

3.5 cm

Temperature

20 to 26 °C

pH

6.5 to 7.5

Smallest tank

60 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

Myanmar (Chindwin and Irrawaddy basins)

Breeding

An egg scatterer that spawns among fine-leaved plants or moss and gives no parental care. Breeding is fairly easy if adults are well conditioned and eggs are protected from being eaten, for example in a separate spawning tank.

Good to know

Rarely available and easily confused with other small Pethia species such as P. stoliczkana, so check identity when buying. Keep in a group to reduce shyness and fin nipping.