Rosy Barb

Pethia conchonius

Males blush rose red with black-tipped fins when they court. A tough, cheerful barb that is happy in cooler water.

A peaceful freshwater fish that grows to 10 cm, lives in the middle of the tank in groups of 5 or more and needs 18–25 °C, pH 6.0–8.0 and an aquarium of at least 100 L.

Care at a glance

Water

Freshwater

Temperature

18–25 °C (64–77 °F)

pH

6.0–8.0

Adult size

10 cm (3.9 in)

Aquarium

100 L or bigger (26 US gal)

Temperament

Peaceful

Group size

5 or more

Swims

Middle

Diet

Omnivore

Wild home

Streams and lakes of northern India

Good to know

• Hardy. Tolerates less-than-perfect water. Great for beginners.

Tank mates

Good company: Bristlenose Pleco, Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid, Corydoras, Honey Gourami, Kribensis, Marbled Hatchetfish, Otocinclus, Pictus Catfish, White Cloud Minnow, Zebra Danio.

Will eat: Chili Rasbora, Crystal Red Shrimp, Ember Tetra, Neocaridina Shrimp.

Eaten by: Asian Arowana, Flowerhorn, Motoro Stingray, Ornate Bichir, Oscar, Siamese Tigerfish.

Attacked by: Demasoni Cichlid, Flowerhorn, Jack Dempsey.

Eats the newborn fry of: Betta, Black Skirt Tetra, Bloodfin Tetra, Boesemani Rainbowfish, Cardinal Tetra, Celestial Pearl Danio, Cherry Barb, Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid, Congo Tetra, Corydoras, Demasoni Cichlid, Dwarf Gourami and 22 more.

Its fry are eaten by: Angelfish, Axolotl, Bala Shark, Betta, Black Ghost Knifefish, Boesemani Rainbowfish, Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid, Comet Goldfish, Congo Tetra, Electric Blue Acara, Fancy Goldfish, Firemouth Cichlid and 10 more.

Grown ones eat their own newborn fry, so raise the young in another aquarium.

Colours and breeding

• Classic common
• Neon Rosy uncommon

In Aquarius a grown male and female breed in a healthy tank. Their young are born about 0.4 cm long and take after one of the parents.

The care values are the ones Aquarius uses, based on how these animals live. Tank mates follow the game's rules: water type, temperature and pH, who can swallow whom, fin nipping, temperament and territory.