Rosy Barb care guide
Rosy Barb (Pethia conchonius) — minimum tank 100 L, temperature 18-25 °C, pH 6-8.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
The Rosy Barb (Pethia conchonius) is a hardy cyprinid from south Asia. Mature males develop a rosy-pink to deep red flush along the flanks, particularly during the breeding season; long-finned and gold colour morphs are also available in the trade.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cyprinidae
- Genus: Pethia
- Scientific name: Pethia conchonius
- Common synonyms: Red Barb
Habitat
Native to streams, ponds and lakes of northern and eastern India, Bangladesh and Nepal, occurring in temperate to subtropical conditions with moderate flow.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 100 L (26.4 US gal)
- Adult size: 8-14 cm
- Temperature: 18-25 °C (64-77 °F)
- pH: 6-8
- GH: 5-19 °dGH
- Water flow: moderate
- Lifespan: 3-5 years
- School size: ≥6 individuals
Diet
An omnivore that accepts a wide range of prepared and live or frozen foods. Offer flakes, pellets, blanched vegetables and occasional invertebrates.
Compatibility
A peaceful but boisterous schooling species. Keep a group of at least six in a long, well-filtered aquarium with open swimming areas. Avoid combinations with long-finned or very small species.
Breeding
An egg-scatterer that spawns over fine-leaved plants. Eggs and fry are not protected; remove parents after spawning.
Long-fin Rosy Barb (Pethia conchonius) Breeding Guide
Overview
The Long-fin Rosy Barb is a selectively bred finnage form of Pethia conchonius, a cyprinid distributed from Pakistan through India, Nepal and Bangladesh. Like the wild type it is an egg-scattering free spawner with no parental care. Breeding follows the standard species method; the long fins do not change reproduction but the slower-swimming long-fin fish benefit from calm conditions.
Sexing
Adult males are noticeably smaller, slimmer and more colourful than females, especially during the spawning season, when they also develop tubercles on the head and snout. Females are plainer and deeper-bodied when carrying eggs.
Conditioning
Condition adults together on a varied diet, then transfer selected pairs to the breeding tank once males colour up and females round out with roe.
Breeding Setup
Use a dimly lit breeding tank with mature water. Cover the base with mesh, spawning mops, or fine-leaved plants so eggs fall through while keeping the adults away from them. Maintain slightly acidic to neutral pH at the warmer end of the temperature range, with air-powered sponge filtration for oxygenation.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Conditioned pairs scatter eggs over the spawning medium, which fall through out of reach. Warmth and good feeding bring the fish into spawning condition.
Egg & Fry Care
Adults will consume eggs if given the opportunity and should be removed immediately after spawning is observed. Eggs hatch within 24-48 hours, with the fry free-swimming roughly 24 hours later. Begin with infusoria-grade foods for several days before graduating to microworm, Artemia nauplii, or similar.
Common Challenges
Egg predation by the parents is the chief problem, addressed by an egg-trap base and prompt removal. For the long-fin form, avoid fin-nipping tankmates and strong flow so the trailing fins are not damaged during conditioning.
Rosy Barb Breeding Guide
Overview
Pethia conchonius is a hardy cyprinid from southern Asia, ranging from Afghanistan to Bangladesh in subtropical freshwater that naturally sits around 18-22 °C. It is an egg-scattering free spawner with no parental care.
Sexing
Males are smaller, slimmer and more colourful than females and develop tubercles on the head and snout during the spawning season; their fins also carry black colouration that the females' fins lack. Females are plumper, especially when gravid.
Conditioning
Condition the adult group together until the females appear gravid before moving them to the spawning tank.
Breeding Setup
Use a very dimly lit tank with slightly acidic to neutral water and a temperature towards the upper end of the maintenance range of 16-24 °C. Cover the base with mesh, plastic grass matting, glass marbles or fine-leaved plants such as Taxiphyllum or spawning mops so eggs fall out of reach, and add an air-powered sponge filter or air stone.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Spawning usually occurs in the early morning and lasts several hours, producing several hundred eggs scattered among the plants. Spawning typically takes place the morning after a gravid female is introduced.
Egg & Fry Care
The adults will probably eat the eggs given the chance and should be removed once spawning ends. Eggs hatch in 24-48 hours and the young become free-swimming around 24 hours after hatching; some accounts give about six days from spawning to free-swimming. Offer infusoria-grade food for the first few days, then microworm, Artemia nauplii or similar.