Moderate

Denison Barb

By The Aquarium Calculators Editorial Team ·

Sahyadria denisonii

Complete Denison Barb care guide covering omnivore diet requirements, peaceful temperament, minimum 55 Gallons tank setup, and compatible freshwater tankmates. Difficulty: Moderate.

Denison Barb

Quick Answer

Denison Barb (Sahyadria denisonii), also known as Roeline Shark or Red Line Torpedo Barb, is a fast-swimming, colorful barb from India. It requires a minimum 55 Gallons aquarium with a pH of 6.8 - 7.8 and temperature range of 22-26°C. This omnivore occupies the bottom/middle zone and makes an excellent addition to community setups.

Intro

Denison Barb (Sahyadria denisonii), also known as Roeline Shark or Red Line Torpedo Barb, is a fast-swimming, colorful barb from India. It is endangered in the wild but captive-bred widely.

Setup

A 55-gallon or larger tank (long rather than tall) with high oxygenation and strong water flow. Smooth gravel or sand substrate. They jump, so a tight lid is essential.

Feeding

Omnivorous; accepts flakes, pellets, frozen foods, and live foods. They also graze on algae. Feed a varied diet for best color.

Compatibility

Peaceful but very active. Keep in schools of 6+. Avoid slow or shy fish. Good with rainbowfish, larger tetras, barbs, and loaches.

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Recommended Output

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Tank Position
Bottom/Middle
Water Temp
22-26°C
Adult Size
See profile
Water pH
6.8 - 7.8

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 Denison Barbs should be kept together?
Maintain a minimum school of 6 to 8 individuals in a tank of at least 75 gallons (284 liters) with a footprint of 60x15 inches (150x38 cm). Denison barbs (Sahyadria denisonii), also known as Roseline sharks, grow up to 6 inches (15 cm) and are fast, active swimmers. Groups under 5 cause chronic stress, fin-nipping, and faded red lines. A school of 10+ displays optimal coloration. Tank length must exceed 5 feet (150 cm) to accommodate their rapid swimming. Provide high water flow (10x turnover) and open swimming lanes. Avoid slow-moving tank mates.
What are the exact water parameters for Denison Barbs?
Target pH 6.8 - 7.8, General Hardness 8 - 15 dGH, Carbonate Hardness 6 - 12 dKH, Total Dissolved Solids 150 - 350 ppm, Electrical Conductivity 300 - 700 μS/cm, and temperature 65°F - 77°F (18°C - 25°C). They prefer cool, highly oxygenated water; temperatures above 78°F (25.5°C) cause oxygen depletion and shortened lifespan. Maintain nitrates below 15 ppm with weekly 30% water changes. Use a canister filter and powerheads for strong current (15x turnover). Hardness below 5 dGH causes clamped fins. Avoid warm, stagnant conditions.
What is the dietary and medication protocol for Denison Barbs?
They are omnivores requiring 40% protein, 10% fat, 50% plant matter. Feed premium flakes, sinking tracking granules, frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia, and spirulina sheets daily. They have large appetites; feed 3 small portions. Medication alert: Tolerate copper (0.2 mg/L) but sensitive to formalin. Praziquantel is safe. Salt baths up to 5 ppt treat external parasites. Quarantine with methylene blue for 7 days. They are susceptible to ich; treat with malachite green at half-dose (0.05 mg/L).
How to breed Denison Barbs in captivity?
Breeding is rare and requires large tanks (150+ gallons) with flowing water. Condition a group of 10 with live foods for 4 weeks. Simulate monsoon: Lower temperature to 68°F (20°C), perform 50% water change with cool RO water over 6 hours, increase water flow dramatically. They are egg-scatterers; provide spawning mops and coarse gravel. Females release 300-500 eggs at dawn. Remove parents after spawning. Eggs hatch in 24-36 hours at 72°F (22°C). Fry require green water for 5 days, then baby brine shrimp. Not recommended for hobbyists.

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