Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Semi-Aggressive
Live Plant Safe: Yes
General Description: The Rosy Barb has a wide range throughout India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Because of this distribution, there is considerable variation in color and body size of Rosy barbs. For example, some populations may exhibit scales with higher reflectance (shiny) than others. Many of the Rosy barbs available within the aquarium trade are commerically produced however, though this variation can still be found within aquaculture. Rosy barbs typically exhibit sexual dimorphism – males possess the characteristic “rosy” red color in which their name is derived, while females don’t have this coloration and are rather a pale-yellow color. Juvenile or young Rosy barb males can look like females, but will often have subtle red coloration peaking through. Despite “barb” in their name, Rosy 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 Rosy barbs when they are kept in too small of an aquarium and in too few of numbers. A natural schooling fish, Rosy barbs require at least 8 to 10 individuals. More than one male can be kept in a school, but they may occasionally flare up at one another to gain the attention of females. Having females in the group will encourage males to display their best coloration. An adult Rosy barb can reach a size of approximately 3″. Rosy barbs are one of the few cyprinids that will graze on nuisance hair algae.
Diet Requirements: In the wild Rosy 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. The red pigmentation of male Rosy barbs may be accentuated further if fed a food with a high concentration of the carotenoid astaxanthin (such as New Life Spectrum Ultra Red pellets).
Care Requirements: A minimum 20 gallon aquarium is ideal for a small group of Rosy barbs. Rosy barbs are one of hardiest fish for newcomers, and are therefore listed as a “hardy fish” because they are able to endure the initial break-in cycle of a newly set-up aquarium. After the cycle is completed, biweekly water changes are encouraged to keep water parameters favorable (Nitrates < 30 ppm). Because we offer only aquacultured Rosy barbs, they have a range of water parameters in which they can adapt to. The aquarium does not need to be aquascaped with anything in particular to keep a school of Rosy barbs happy, but a darker-neutral substrate, driftwood and other natural-looking arrangements will bring out the beauty of this barb. Rosy barbs have been observed to show exceptional coloration in dense live planted aquariums. In the proper environment, Rosy 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 slow-moving fish or fish with decorative fins that could be tempting to nip such as angelfish and guppies. 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.
