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Rosy Barb
Pethia conchonius
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Cyprinidae
📍 Bangladesh & Northeast India
Rosy barbs are large, hardy barbs with males turning a vivid pink-red during breeding. They are cold-tolerant, active, and peaceful in larger groups, though they may nip fins of long-finned fish. An excellent choice for cooler community aquariums.
Care Guide
Diet
Rosy barbs are omnivores that thrive on a varied diet of high-quality flake food, sinking pellets, and live or frozen foods such as bloodworms, daphnia, and brine shrimp. Supplement with blanched vegetables and algae-based foods 2-3 times weekly. Feed small amounts once daily, only what they can consume in 2-3 minutes.
Behavior
Rosy barbs are active, schooling fish that display vibrant coloration and playful behavior when kept in groups of 6 or more. Males become intensely pink-red during breeding season and may exhibit mild fin-nipping behavior toward long-finned tank mates, though they remain relatively peaceful in properly sized, well-planted tanks. They prefer mid-water swimming zones and appreciate open spaces for darting and exploring.
Breeding
Breeding rosy barbs in captivity is moderately difficult but achievable with proper conditioning. Separate males and females, feed high-protein foods for 2-3 weeks, then introduce them to a densely planted breeding tank with soft, slightly acidic water (pH 6.0-6.5) at 24-26°C. Females scatter eggs among plants; remove parents after spawning to prevent egg consumption. Fry are tiny and require infusoria or liquid fry food initially.
Tank Mates
Similar size, activity level, and water parameters; both are hardy, active schoolers
Peaceful bottom-dweller that won't compete for mid-water space; helps control algae
Small size may trigger fin-nipping; keep in large schools and monitor behavior closely
Peaceful algae eater that occupies different ecological niche; barbs generally ignore snails
Peaceful dwarf cichlid with similar temperature preferences; occupies bottom-middle zones
Common Diseases
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, flashing against objects, lethargy
Raise temperature gradually to 28-30°C, perform daily 25% water changes, use ich medication (malachite green or formalin) per label instructions; maintain for 10-14 days
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fin edges, discoloration at fin margins, progressive fin loss
Improve water quality with frequent partial water changes, reduce ammonia/nitrite, use antibacterial medication (tetracycline or phenoxyethanol); isolate if severe
Bacterial Infection
Red streaks on body, swollen abdomen, loss of appetite, lethargy, open sores
Perform large water changes, maintain pristine water conditions, use broad-spectrum antibiotic medication; isolate affected fish if possible
Parasitic Infection (Flukes/Worms)
Excessive scratching, clamped fins, visible parasites, weight loss despite feeding
Use anti-parasitic medication (praziquantel or levamisole) per label; perform water changes; quarantine new fish before adding to main tank
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Varieties
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Quick Facts
- diet
- Omnivore – flake, pellets, algae, daphnia, bloodworms
- lifespan
- 5 years
- max size
- 14 cm (5.5 in)
- tank size
- 30 gallons minimum
- school size
- 6+
- temperament
- Peaceful in groups; may nip fins
Water it likes
- ph
- 6.0–8.0
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 5–19 dGH
- temperature
- 64–79°F (18–26°C)