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Black Ruby Barb
Pethia nigrofasciata
📍 Southeast Asia
The Black Ruby Barb is a small, colorful freshwater fish native to Sri Lanka, prized for its deep red coloration and active schooling behavior. These hardy barbs are excellent for community aquariums and add vibrant movement to planted tanks. They are relatively easy to care for, making them suitable for both beginner and experienced aquarists.
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Care Guide
Diet
Black Ruby Barbs are omnivorous and thrive on a varied diet of high-quality flake foods, small pellets, and live or frozen foods such as daphnia and bloodworms. Feed them 1-2 times daily in amounts they can consume within 2-3 minutes. Occasional vegetable matter like blanched spinach supports their overall health.
Behavior
These active, schooling fish are best kept in groups of at least 6 individuals to reduce aggression and encourage natural behavior. They are energetic swimmers that occupy the middle water column and may nip at slower-moving fish or long-finned species. They exhibit interesting social hierarchies within their school and are most vibrant when in established groups.
Breeding
Black Ruby Barbs are egg scatterers that breed readily in well-planted tanks with slightly acidic water and temperatures around 26°C (79°F). Breeding difficulty is low to moderate; remove adults after spawning as they do not guard eggs. Fry are tiny and require infusoria or liquid fry food initially before graduating to micro pellets.
Tank Mates
Similar size and water parameters; may experience minor fin nipping but generally compatible
Peaceful algae eater that occupies bottom zone; minimal interaction with barbs
Bottom-dwelling catfish that avoids competition; benefits from barb activity
May experience fin nipping from barbs; requires careful monitoring
Similar size, temperament, and water requirements; excellent schooling companion
Compatible barb species with similar care needs and activity levels
Common Diseases
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, lethargy, rubbing against objects
Increase water temperature to 28-30°C (82-86°F) gradually, perform daily 25% water changes, use aquarium salt at recommended doses, or treat with copper-free ich medication
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fins, discoloration at fin edges, lethargy
Improve water quality with frequent water changes, reduce tank stocking density, treat with antibacterial medication, ensure proper nutrition and avoid aggressive tank mates
Bacterial Infection
Red streaks on body, swollen abdomen, loss of appetite, cloudy eyes
Perform 50% water change immediately, treat with broad-spectrum antibiotic medication, isolate affected fish if possible, maintain pristine water conditions
Velvet Disease (Oodinium)
Gold or rust-colored dust on body, rapid breathing, scratching behavior, lethargy
Increase aeration and temperature to 28°C (82°F), perform daily water changes, treat with copper-based medication or methylene blue, darken tank to reduce stress
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Quick Facts
- diet
- omnivore - small insects, plant matter, quality flake and pellet foods
- lifespan
- 4-6 years
- max size
- 4 cm (1.6 in)
- tank size
- 20 gallons minimum
- temperament
- semi-aggressive
Water it likes
- ph
- 6.0-7.0
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 4-8 dGH
- temperature
- 72–79°F (22–26°C)