No photo yet
Sign in to submit the first photo
Denison Barb
Sahyadria denisonii
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Cyprinidae
📍 India
Also known as the Roseline Shark, this striking fish features a bold red-and-black lateral stripe and torpedo-shaped body. Active and peaceful in groups, it needs a long tank with moderate current and well-oxygenated water.
Care Guide
Diet
Denison Barbs are omnivorous and require a varied diet of high-quality flake foods, small pellets, and regular supplements of frozen foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia. Feed once daily in small portions that can be consumed within 2-3 minutes. They will also graze on algae wafers and appreciate vegetable matter like blanched spinach occasionally.
Behavior
Denison Barbs are highly active, fast-moving schooling fish that require plenty of open swimming space and become stressed or aggressive when kept in groups smaller than 6. They are peaceful with similarly-sized fish but may chase or nip at smaller species, particularly those with flowing fins. They are most active during daylight hours and prefer well-oxygenated water with moderate to strong water flow.
Breeding
Breeding Denison Barbs in captivity is extremely difficult and rarely successful in home aquariums. They require very specific conditions including cool water temperatures (around 60-64°F), large spawning tanks, and precise seasonal triggers that are difficult to replicate. Commercial breeding is limited, making captive-bred specimens rare and wild-caught fish still common in the hobby.
Tank Mates
Similar size, activity level, and water parameter requirements; both are fast-moving schooling fish
Compatible schooling fish with similar peaceful temperament and water needs
Similar size and activity level; may compete for space but generally compatible
Peaceful bottom-dweller that won't compete with mid-water Denison Barbs; helps maintain tank cleanliness
Peaceful catfish that occupies bottom zone; prefers similar cool, well-oxygenated water
Smaller size may trigger chasing behavior; only suitable if Denison Barbs are well-fed and in large groups
Common Diseases
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, lethargy, rubbing against objects
Gradually raise water temperature to 28-30°C over 48 hours, maintain for 7-10 days, or use ich-specific medication; ensure excellent water quality and aeration
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fins, discoloration at fin edges, lethargy
Perform 25-30% water changes daily, improve water quality and oxygenation, use antibacterial medication if severe; ensure tank mates are not nipping
Bacterial Infection
Open sores, ulcers, cloudy eyes, loss of appetite, color fading
Isolate affected fish, perform frequent water changes, use broad-spectrum antibiotic medication, maintain pristine water conditions
Gill Parasites
Rapid gill movement, gasping at surface, reduced appetite, lethargy
Use antiparasitic medication, increase aeration and water flow, perform frequent water changes; quarantine new fish before adding to main tank
Community Photos
0 photosPhotos are added when members log a tank with this species and upload a photo in their tank journal. Add your own tank to contribute.
No photos yet — add a tank with Denison Barb to be the first!
Sign in to vote.
Tips from the community 💡
0 tipsReal experiences, care advice, and keeper notes. Finn learns from these too.
Sign in to share your experience.
No community tips yet — be the first to share your knowledge!
Quick Facts
- diet
- Omnivore – flake, pellets, blanched vegetables, frozen foods
- lifespan
- 5–8 years
- max size
- 15 cm (6 in)
- tank size
- 55 gallons minimum
- school size
- 6+
- temperament
- Peaceful, schooling
Water it likes
- ph
- 6.5–7.8
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 5–25 dGH
- temperature
- 59–77°F (15–25°C)