From Aqua Guide, the free encyclopedia
Black Ruby Barb
Pethia nigrofasciata
- Temperature
- 20–27 °C
- pH
- 5.5 – 7.5
- Min. tank size
- 72 L
- Lifespan
- 5 years
- Diet
- omnivore
- Care level
- easy
| Scientific classification | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name: | Pethia nigrofasciata |
| Family: | Cyprinidae |
| Origin: | Sri Lanka (shaded forest streams) |
| Care Characteristics | |
| Care Level: | easy |
| Diet: | omnivore |
| Max Size: | 5.50 cm |
| Water Type: | freshwater |
| Temp Group: | subtropical |
| Temperament: | peaceful |
| Min Group: | 6+ together |
| Varieties: | Few cultivated strains, though farms select for colour and quality varies considerably between suppliers. Almost all trade stock is commercially bred, which matters here: the species is endemic to Sri Lanka's wet zone, wild exports are prohibited, and brightly coloured specimens are becoming scarcer in nature, so buying farmed fish is the responsible choice as well as the practical one. Taxonomy has moved. The species was long placed in Puntius and then Barbus, so older references use both, and Pethia nigrofasciata is current. Within Pethia, the rosy barb and odessa barb are the fish most often kept alongside it, and both share the cool-water tolerance. The ticto barb is a further relative that turns up under confused labels. For a genuinely subtropical planted community, the black ruby, rosy and odessa barbs together make a good group — three species, all peaceful, all with dramatic males. |
| Lifespan: | 5 years |
Quick Tips
- Bioload:Low to medium
- Min Tank:72 L
- Substrate:Dark sand/gravel; planted with shade and swimming space
- Plant Safe:Plant-safe
- Filtration:Moderate
Black Ruby Barb (Pethia nigrofasciata) is a species of fish in the family Cyprinidae. It is native to Sri Lanka (shaded forest streams). The black ruby barb is a plain fish for most of its life and a spectacular one for a few minutes at a time. Outside display, a male is a silvery-olive barb with dark bars. In spawning condition he flushes an intense reddish-purple over the head and forebody, with the rear half going almost black — one of the most dramatic colour changes available in a small community fish, and the reason the species has been in the hobby for the best part of a century. It reaches 55 mm standard length, is described as generally very peaceful, and tolerates cool water down to 20 °C (68 °F). It is endemic to Sri Lanka's wet zone. Wild exports are prohibited, though collection reportedly continues, and brightly coloured specimens are becoming scarcer in nature.
Compatibility
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Keep in
- Groups of 6+
- Swims
- middle
- Fin nipper
- No
- Delicate fins
- No
Species similar to Black Ruby Barb
Matched on family, then category, then water type