Red-stripe Barb (Pethia erythromycter) Care Guide
Pethia erythromycter is a small Burmese barb from the upper Ayeyarwady basin, suited to soft-water community tanks.
Overview
Pethia erythromycter is a small Burmese cyprinid, sometimes traded as the lipstick or tulip barb. FishBase records a maximum size around 3.3 cm SL. It belongs to the Puntius conchonius species group and lacks barbels.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cyprinidae
- Genus: Pethia
- Scientific name: Pethia erythromycter
Habitat
According to FishBase and Seriously Fish, the species occurs in the upper Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) River basin of northern Myanmar, in smaller water bodies near Myitkyina and in Lake Indawgyi. Seriously Fish describes clear, densely vegetated waters over soft clay substrate mixed with decomposing organic matter.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 80 L
- Temperature: 22-26 °C (72-79 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 4-15 °dGH
- School size: 6 or more individuals
- Lifespan: 4-6 years
Diet
The species is omnivorous. Seriously Fish recommends small live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, Daphnia and Artemia, supplemented with quality dried foods containing plant matter.
Compatibility
This is a schooling mid-water barb. Seriously Fish notes that males spar constantly during the day, so a larger group and dense planting help diffuse aggression. It suits peaceful community tankmates such as corydoras and loaches and should be kept away from aggressive species.
Breeding
According to Seriously Fish, the species is an egg-scattering free spawner with no parental care; eggs hatch in roughly 36-48 hours and fry become free-swimming soon after.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2010).