All fish / Cyprinidae

Scarlet-banded barb

Puntius amphibius

Also known as scarlet banded barb, scarlet-banded barb, amphibius barb, systomus amphibius, barbus amphibius

A slim silvery barb with a dark spot near the tail and, in good condition, a reddish band along the flank. It is a hardy, active shoaling fish from streams, marshes and village tanks in southern India and Sri Lanka, and it suits keepers who want a less common barb for a roomy community tank.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

9 cm

Temperature

22 to 28 °C

pH

6.5 to 7.5

Smallest tank

120 litres

Keep as

Shoal of 6 or more

Diet

Omnivore: algae, detritus and plant matter in the wild; takes flakes, small pellets, vegetable foods and frozen bloodworm or brine shrimp

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

4 to 6 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Southern India (Western Ghats, Kerala) and Sri Lanka

Breeding

It scatters its eggs among plants or over gravel and gives no parental care, so adults will eat the eggs. A separate tank with fine-leaved plants or mesh, where the adults are taken out after spawning, gives the best chance, but captive breeding is rarely reported.

Good to know

Wild fish can reach about 20 cm, so allow for a fairly large adult and a long tank with plenty of swimming space. It is often mixed up with other Puntius species such as P. sophore and P. chola, so check the identification before buying.