Gold Denison Barb (Sahyadria denisonii) Care Guide
A captive-bred golden color morph of the popular Denison Barb, featuring a pale gold body instead of the typical silver, while retaining the signature red and black horizontal stripes.
Overview
Sahyadria denisonii is a species in the family Cyprinidae. A captive-bred golden color morph of the popular Denison Barb, featuring a pale gold body instead of the typical silver, while retaining the signature red and black horizontal stripes. Just as active and social as the wild-type, it makes a stunning display fish in groups of six or more. Requires a spacious, well-oxygenated tank with good flow.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cyprinidae
- Genus: Sahyadria
- Scientific name: Sahyadria denisonii
- Other names: Gold Roseline Shark, Golden Torpedo Barb, Sahyadria denisonii gold
- Origin: Asia
Habitat
Endemic to fast-flowing hill streams and rivers of the Western Ghats in Kerala and Karnataka, southern India. The gold form is an aquarium-bred colour variant of Sahyadria denisonii. The wild species is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List owing to over-collection for the aquarium trade and habitat degradation.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 200 L
- Temperature: 20-25 °C
- pH: 6.5-7.5
- GH: 5-15 °dGH
- Adult size: 9-12 cm
- Lifespan: 5-8 years
- Recommended group size: ≥ 6
- Difficulty: intermediate
Diet
Classified as omnivore. Recommended feeding frequency: 2x daily. In captivity, offer a varied diet appropriate to the species — quality prepared foods supplemented with frozen or live items of suitable size.
Compatibility
- Temperament: peaceful
- Swimming level: middle
- Compatible tank mates: Denison Barb, Rainbow Fish, Corydoras, Larger Tetras, Peaceful Cichlids
- Avoid with: Very small fish, Slow-moving long-finned fish, Aggressive cichlids
Breeding
- Breeding strategy: egg-scatterer
- Breeding difficulty: advanced