Moderate

Black Ruby Barb

By The Aquarium Calculators Editorial Team ·

Pethia nigrofasciata

Complete Black Ruby Barb care guide covering omnivore diet requirements, peaceful temperament, minimum 20 Gallons tank setup, and compatible freshwater tankmates. Difficulty: Moderate.

Black Ruby Barb

Quick Answer

Black Ruby Barb (Pethia nigrofasciata) is a stunning barb from Sri Lanka. It requires a minimum 20 Gallons aquarium with a pH of 6.0 - 7.0 and temperature range of 20-26°C. This omnivore occupies the middle zone and makes an excellent addition to community setups.

Intro

Black Ruby Barb (Pethia nigrofasciata) is a stunning barb from Sri Lanka. Breeding males develop a deep black body with a ruby-red head and fins.

Setup

A 20-gallon or larger tank with dense planting, dark substrate, and soft, acidic water. Good filtration with gentle flow.

Feeding

Omnivorous; accepts flakes, micro pellets, frozen foods, and live foods. A varied diet enhances color.

Compatibility

Peaceful. Keep in schools of 8+ with more females than males. Good with other small, peaceful fish: tetras, rasboras, Corydoras.

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Tank Position
Middle
Water Temp
20-26°C
Adult Size
See profile
Water pH
6.0 - 7.0

Species Characteristics

Adult Size
Lifespan
Growth Rate
moderate
Tank Compatibility
Community compatible
Indoor Aquarium
Yes

Water Parameters

Water Temperature
Humidity
Water pH

Tank Lighting

Tank Lighting
Standard lighting
Light Hours
N/A
Intensity
moderate

Feeding & Diet

Diet Type
Diet: Omnivore
Feeding Schedule
N/A
Live Food Options
N/A

Continue Learning

Recommended Tools

Fish Compatibility Calculator fish compatibility

Health & Disease

Ich (White Spot Disease) common disease • all fish

Related Guides

Understanding pH in Aquariums water parameters • ph

Similar Species

African Leaf Fish Care Guide: Diet & Tank Mates semanticSimilarity Angelfish Care Guide: Tank Size & Diet | The Aquarium Calculators semanticSimilarity Badis Care Guide: Tank Size & Compatibility semanticSimilarity

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Black Ruby Barbs should be kept together?
Maintain a minimum school of 8 to 12 individuals in a tank of at least 30 gallons (113 liters) with a footprint of 36x12 inches (90x30 cm). Black ruby barbs (Pethia nigrofasciata) require a 1 male to 2-3 female ratio to disperse male aggression and trigger deep red breeding colors. Groups under 6 cause males to harass single females to exhaustion. Provide dense background plants (Vallisneria, Hygrophila) and open swimming lanes. Inadequate tank length (<30 inches/75 cm) leads to fin nipping and stress-induced fin rot.
What are the exact water parameters for Black Ruby Barbs?
Target pH 6.0 - 7.0, General Hardness 4 - 10 dGH, Carbonate Hardness 3 - 6 dKH, Total Dissolved Solids 80 - 200 ppm, Electrical Conductivity 160 - 400 μS/cm, and temperature 72°F - 79°F (22°C - 26°C). They prefer soft, slightly acidic water with low nitrates (<15 ppm). Weekly 25% water changes are mandatory. Use driftwood and Indian almond leaves to maintain pH. Hardness above 12 dGH reduces coloration and breeding activity. Avoid high TDS (>300 ppm), which causes clamped fins. Provide subdued lighting (PAR 30-50).
What is the dietary and medication protocol for Black Ruby Barbs?
They are omnivores with an emphasis on plant matter (60% vegetable, 40% protein). Feed high-quality flakes (spirulina blend) twice daily, supplemented with frozen daphnia, bloodworms, and brine shrimp. Offer blanched zucchini, spinach, or nori sheets daily. Sinking pellets and granules (Hikari Micropellets) are accepted. Medication alert: Tolerate copper at 0.2 mg/L; sensitive to formalin (half-dose). Praziquantel is safe for flukes. Salt baths up to 5 ppt for 15 minutes treat external parasites. Quarantine with methylene blue at 2 mg/L.
How to breed Black Ruby Barbs with environmental triggers?
Condition a group of 10 (1 male:2 female ratio) with live blackworms and spirulina flakes for 2 weeks. Simulate dry season: Lower water level to 6 inches (15 cm) for 10 days, raise temperature to 80°F (27°C). Trigger breeding: Perform 50% water change with cool (68°F/20°C) RO water (pH 6.0, 3 dGH) over 3 hours. Add spawning mops or java moss. Spawning occurs at dawn; female lays 200-300 adhesive eggs. Remove parents after 6 hours. Eggs hatch in 36-48 hours at 75°F (24°C). Fry feed on infusoria for 4 days, then microworms, then baby brine shrimp.

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