Description
Rosy Barb (Pethia conchonius)
Overview
Pethia conchonius, commonly known as the Rosy Barb, is a vibrant, hardy freshwater fish from the Cyprinidae family, native to northern India, Bangladesh, and parts of Nepal. Known for its shimmering silvery-pink to reddish body, especially vivid in males during spawning, this species grows to 7.5–14 cm but typically stays smaller in aquariums. Rosy Barbs are active, schooling fish, ideal for beginners and experienced aquarists due to their adaptability and bold presence in community tanks.
Care Requirements
Tank Size
- Minimum: 80 liters for a school of 6–10 fish; 120–200 liters preferred for larger schools or mixed communities to support their active nature.
- Longer tanks are ideal to accommodate their fast swimming and schooling Behaviour.
Water Parameters
- Temperature: 18°C–26°C, ideally 20°C–24°C.
- pH: 6.5–7.5, slightly acidic to neutral preferred.
- Hardness: Soft to moderately hard (5–12 dH).
- Nitrate: Keep below 40 mg/L for optimal health.
- Use a water conditioner to remove chlorine and chloramine from tap water.
Tank Setup
- Substrate: Fine gravel, sand, or smooth pebbles to mimic their natural riverine habitats with moderate currents.
- Plants: Hardy plants like Java fern, Anubias, Vallisneria, or Amazon sword for cover and egg-laying sites. Floating plants like water sprite reduce stress.
- Decor: Driftwood, rocks, or caves provide hiding spots and break up sightlines to reduce territorial Behaviour.
- Filtration: Moderate flow filter (e.g., canister or hang-on-back) to maintain clean, well-oxygenated water.
- Lighting: Moderate lighting; avoid overly bright setups to prevent stress and mimic shaded river environments.
Maintenance
- Water Changes: 20%–30% weekly or 30%–50% monthly to maintain water quality and stability.
- Testing: Regularly monitor pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels using a test kit.
- Cleaning: Vacuum substrate during water changes to remove debris; clean filter media in tank water to preserve beneficial bacteria.
- Feeding Control: Feed only what fish consume in 2–3 minutes to avoid water pollution.
- Plant Care: Trim plants to prevent overgrowth and maintain open swimming areas.
Diet
Natural Diet: Omnivorous, feeding on algae, plant matter, small invertebrates, and detritus in the wild.
Aquarium Diet:
- Staple Foods: High-quality flake foods, pellets, or granules formulated for tropical fish.
- Live/Frozen Foods: Bloodworms, brine shrimp, Daphnia, or Tubifex to enhance growth and colouration.
- Vegetable Matter: Blanched spinach, zucchini, or algae wafers for dietary balance.
- Feeding Frequency: Small portions 2–3 times daily, ensuring food is consumed quickly.
- Variety: Rotate food types to ensure nutritional balance and vibrant colouration, with carotenoid-rich foods (e.g., shrimp) to enhance red hues.
Behaviour and Compatibility
Behaviour
Schooling: Social and active, requiring groups of 6–10+ to reduce stress and aggression. Smaller groups may lead to fin nipping.
Compatibility
- Ideal Tankmates: Similarly sized, active, peaceful fish, like tetras (e.g., Neon Tetra), danios, rasboras, Corydoras catfish, or small plecos.
- Avoid: Slow-moving fish (e.g., bettas), long-finned fish (e.g., guppies), or aggressive species (e.g., large cichlids) that may stress or outcompete them.
- Sexual Dimorphism: Males are slimmer, with intense pinkish-red colouration, a black lateral spot, and brighter fins; females are rounder, with duller silver-pink hues and less vibrant fins.
Breeding Behaviour
Breeding Behaviour: Egg-scatterers, laying 100–300 adhesive eggs among plants or substrate. No parental care; adults may consume eggs if not removed.
Picture for illustrative purposes only. Either come in store to view available stock or request pictures to be sent to you.
Please Note: Due to variations within species resulting from age, region, sex, etc., the actual livestock may not look identical to the image. Approximate size range may also vary between individual specimens.
