Barb Rosy

Description

The Rosy BarbPuntius conchonius(previouslyBarbus conchonius) is one of the most beautifulfreshwater fish. This barbhasa silvery or coppery-pink color with a green cast along the back, and the males will have more pink on their underbellies. These fish arehardy, undemanding, and fun to watch because they are constantly on the move. These qualities make them one of the most desirable starter fish.

Thoughalways attractive, the coloration of this fish ismost impressive duringspawning. The male’s silvery color intensifies to a deep, rosyorpurplish red, and the fins get pink and black. Rosy Barbs are also sometimes calledRed Barbs, and several ornamental varietieshave alsobeen developed. Some of these include theNeon Rosy Barb, Long Fin Rosy Barb, Red Glass Rosy Barb, and Gold Neon Rosy Barb.

These barbs are a delightful choice for a beginning fish keeper, but theymake a dynamic display in anytank. They are peaceful and will do well in a community aquarium, with only an occasional nip on a tankmate’s fins. They prefer cooler water than manytropical fish, needing temperatures between 64-72 F (18-22 C), sobe sure to select tankmates that will also thrive in a cooler tank.

Depending on the region they are from, these fish vary some in appearance and size. They are one of the larger barb species andneed at least a 20-gallon tank. In the wild, they can reach up to 6 inches (15 cm), but in the aquarium, they typicallyonly reach about 4 inches (10 cm). Thesevery active fish are alsogreat jumpers, so keep theaquariumcovered.

When kept in a school, the males display an interesting behavior. They will continually swim around each other with their fins spread out, showing off their best colors. These fish are very prolific breeders, but theyneed a breeding tank with shallow water. They will happily spawn in water that is just a couple of inches deep.