Care Level: Moderate

Temperament: Semi-Aggressive

Live Plant Safe: Yes

General Description: The Arulius Barb, sometimes referred to as the Dawkin’s Barb named after an evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins, has a limited distribution in southwestern India. Because of this, Arulius barbs available within the aquarium trade are commerically produced. An active species that grows relatively large, the Arulius barb has a peach colored torpedo body shape that shimmers in an array of blue and green colors depending on the light. This species also has at least three large, black patches on its body. Despite “barb” in their name, Arulius barbs are somewhat peaceful compared to the boisterous barb species we think of (e.g., Puntius tetrazona [Tiger Barb, Green Tiger Barb], P. padamya [Odessa Barb]). Sometimes nippy behavior can be exhibited from Arulius barbs when they are kept in too small of an aquarium and in too few of numbers. Arulius barbs make for an excellent addition into the well researched community aquarium. A natural schooling fish, Arulius barbs require at least 8 to 10 individuals of a mixed sex ratio. An adult Arulius barb can reach a size of approximately 5″. Arulius barbs are one of the few cyprinids that will occasionally graze on nuisance algae.

Diet Requirements: In the wild Arulius barbs are omnivores. A diet made up of various high quality vegetable based and protein based flake foods, sinking micro pellet foods and bug bites are ideal, in addition to offering frozen foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp and daphnia. Some emphasis should be put on offering ample plant or algal based foods for this species. Variety is the spice of life in order to maintain color, immune function and longevity of your fish.

Care Requirements: A minimum 55 gallon aquarium is ideal for a group of Arulius barbs; this species may require more space as it grows into an adult. Arulius barbs are not as hardy as some of the other barbs, and therefore should only be put into a biologically mature aquarium. Additionally, they are intolerable of deteriorating water parameters, so weekly water changes are ideal in order to keep the water chemistry pristine for this fish. Given their natural river environments, Arulius barbs would benefit from well oxygenated water and more generous water movement. The aquarium does not need to be aquascaped with anything in particular to keep a school of Arulius barbs happy, but a darker-neutral sandy substrate, driftwood and other natural-looking arrangements will bring out the beauty of this barb. This barb can appear washed out in sparsely decorated set ups. In the proper environment, Arulius barbs can be relatively peaceful compared to Tiger Barbs in which they are usually lumped with in terms of temperament. However, we do not recommend mixing this barb with fish that are timid, slow-moving, or that have decorative fins. Many small fish species may be intimidated by just the size and activity level of Arulius barbs. In nature, Arulius barbs are found in mixed schools with Panda (Haludaria fasciata) and Filament (Dawkinsia filamentosa) barbs. Recommended water conditions, 72-78° F, KH 5-12, pH 6.0-7.5.

Purchase Size: Medium: 1-1/2” to 2”

Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase sizes are approximate.