Rosy Barb
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Rosy
Barb
Puntius
Conchonius
Max.
size: 13cm
/ 5.0inches
pH
range:
6 – 8
dH
range:
5-19
Temperature
range:
18 – 22C / 64.5 – 71°F
Care
Moderate
Common names-
Rosy Barb, Red Barb, Rosie Barb
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Rosy Barb by
Wikipedia
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The Rosy Barb has been a
popular aquarium fish for many years due mainly
to its ease of care and peaceful temperament as
well as its bright colours. It is larger
than a lot of aquarium fish and needs to be
kept in shoals of five or more in a tank of a
minimum twenty gallons.
They originate
from the sub-tropical parts of South East Asia
and are common in India, Bangladesh, Nepal,
Pakistan and Afghanistan where they inhabit
lakes and fast flowing streams.
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The female Rosy Barb is silver
with a red tinge which becomes more luminous during the
breeding season whilst the male Rosy Barb will change from
silver to a rich claret glow during the breeding season.
Both have black decorations on their fins. Some Rosy Barb also
display black markings on their sides. The males tend to be
smaller than the females. There is a long-finned variety of
Rosy Barb available for aquarists.
Rosy Barbs can be kept in ponds as
well as aquariums but you need to avoid temperatures below
roughly sixteen degrees as this will prove stressful or worse
for the fish.
Always keep Rosy Barbs in shoals
of five or more and do consider the size of the tank in
relation to their full grown size and not the size that you buy
them at. Always include a lot of plants but avoid soft
leafed plants as the Rosy Barb will nibble and may destroy the
plants.
The Rosy Barb is a good community
fish that will mix well with fish that enjoy similar water
conditions. They are thought to be one of the easiest
fish to care for and are recommended for beginners. They
will cope with a wide variety of water conditions but avoid
extremes of acidity or temperature.
Wild Rosy Barb are opportunistic
omnivores and their captive cousins need a varied and
interesting diet . They will eat a broad range of food,
including flakes, pellets and frozen food as well as vegetables
like boiled zucchini and peas. They will also eat algae
which will help to keep your aquarium clear. They will
scatter eggs when breeding and like all egg scatterers will see
the resulting fry as a tasty treat. Survivors will have
hidden amongst the weed unless they were removed to a separate
tank
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