Care Level: Moderate

Temperament: Peaceful

Live Plant Safe: Yes

General Description: The Rohan Barb, also known as the Tear Drop Barb, are found at the southern tip of peninsular India, but most specimens available within the aquarium trade are produced through commercial aquaculture practices. An active species, the Rohan barb has a peach-silver colored torpedo body shape that shimmers in an array of blue and green colors depending on the light. Similar to the Filament Barb (D. filamentosa), except that the black spot before the caudal fin is more tear drop in shape and can extend to the caudal fin. Additionally, Rohan barbs have no black at the base of their dorsal fin whereas this is black in the Filament barb. These differences can be difficult to confidently distinguish on juvenile specimens from either species. There are few discernable differences between male and female Rohan barbs; both sexes can develop filamentous rays off of their dorsal fin. Despite “barb” in their name, Rohan barbs are rather 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 Rohan barbs when they are kept in too small of an aquarium and in too few of numbers. Rohan barbs make for an excellent addition into the well researched community aquarium. A natural schooling fish, Rohan barbs require at least 8 to 10 individuals of a mixed sex ratio. An adult Rohan barb can reach a size of approximately 4″.

Diet Requirements: In the wild Rohan 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 Rohan barbs; this species may require more space as it grows into an adult. Rohan 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, Rohan 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 Rohan barbs happy, but a darker-neutral sandy substrate, driftwood and other natural-looking arrangements will bring out the beauty of this barb. Rohan barbs can appear washed out in sparsely decorated set ups, however. In the proper environment, Rohan barbs can be relatively peaceful and can successfully mixed with other active and peaceful species. We do not recommend mixing them 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 Filament barbs. Recommended water conditions, 72-78° F, KH 5-12, pH 6.0-7.0.

Purchase Size: Small: 1” to 1-1/4”, Medium: 1-1/2” to 2”, Large: 2-1/4” to 3-1/2”, XLarge: 3-3/4” to 4”

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