Rosy Barb

Rosy Barb

Pethia Conchonius

The Rosy Barb is a larger species of Barb that can develop long flowing fins and beautiful red colouration in Males, whilst Females stay a nice Yellow colour.

Locale: Occurs naturally in South Asia, through much of Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Nepal - occurs in many different environments, from pools, oxbows, open river columns and streams, though usually congregates in well-vegetated areas.

Fun fact: Rosy Barbs are one of the larger species of Barbs, commonly reaching 8-10cms, though many specimens have been recorded reaching much larger sizes, sometimes up to 13cms!

Care:

Care difficulty - Beginner, hardy schooling fish.

Temperament - Semi-aggressive, schools peacefully when kept in large group sizes (e.g. 15+), however 6+ is recommended as minimum school size though Congo Tetras can sometimes display fin-nipping behaviour in these group sizes.

Adult size - 8-10cms (Many have been recorded larger than this however)

Diet - Omnivorous; will eat both ends of the spectrum, from filament algae to small invertebrates and microcrustaceans, so in the Aquaria it is best to feed a staple diet of smaller pellets or flakes, and can have frozen or even live food dietary supplements, such as live or frozen brine shrimp, live black worms, frozen bloodworms, frozen mysis with spirulina, these should only be fed once or twice per fortnight.

Habitat - In the aquaria Tetras are very unfussy fish when it comes to environment, however recreating the natural environment of any fish is always beneficial, such an environment for the Congo Tetra would include a light soft sandy substrate, dark branchy driftwood, tall vegetation for the school of Congos to retreat to when swimming in upper portions of the tank. 

Optimal Water Parameters:

Temperature: 18-28°c

pH: 5.8-7.2

GH: 3-15

KH: 1-5

Fish size, sex, exact colour and patterning may vary from photo.