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Gold Barb

By The Aquarium Calculators Editorial Team ·

Barbodes semifasciolatus

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

Gold Barb

Quick Answer

Gold Barb (Barbodes semifasciolatus) is a color morph of the Chinese barb. It requires a minimum 20 Gallons aquarium with a pH of 6.5 - 7.5 and temperature range of 18-24°C. This omnivore occupies the middle zone and makes an excellent addition to community setups.

Intro

Gold Barb (Barbodes semifasciolatus) is a color morph of the Chinese barb. It is a robust, active fish that adds bright yellow color to the aquarium.

Setup

A 20-gallon or larger tank with open swimming space and hardy plants. They tolerate a wide range of temperatures and water conditions.

Feeding

Omnivorous; eats flakes, pellets, frozen foods, and vegetable matter. Easy to feed.

Compatibility

Peaceful. Keep in schools of 6+. Good with other barbs, danios, rainbowfish, and tetras. Avoid slow, long-finned fish that may be stressed by their activity.

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Tank Position
Middle
Water Temp
18-24°C
Adult Size
See profile
Water pH
6.5 - 7.5

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 Red Eyed Tetra Care Guide: Schooling & Tank Size semanticSimilarity Apistogramma Care Guide: Temperament & Diet semanticSimilarity Banded Corydoras Care Guide: Substrate & Diet semanticSimilarity

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Gold Barbs should be kept together?
Maintain a minimum school of 8 to 10 individuals in a tank of at least 30 gallons (113 liters) with a footprint of 36x12 inches (90x30 cm). Gold barbs (Barbodes semifasciolatus) are robust, peaceful barbs; groups under 6 cause fin-nipping and stress. A school of 12+ displays intense golden-yellow coloration and natural schooling behavior. Provide open swimming lanes and dense plant borders (Hygrophila, Vallisneria). Tank length must exceed 30 inches (75 cm) for their active midwater swimming. Avoid long-finned tank mates (angelfish, bettas) as gold barbs may nip.
What are the exact water parameters for Gold Barbs?
Target pH 6.5 - 7.5, General Hardness 5 - 15 dGH, Carbonate Hardness 4 - 12 dKH, Total Dissolved Solids 120 - 350 ppm, Electrical Conductivity 250 - 700 μS/cm, and temperature 64°F - 75°F (18°C - 24°C). They are very adaptable and tolerate cooler water down to 60°F (15.5°C), making them suitable for unheated tanks. Maintain nitrates below 20 ppm with weekly 25% water changes. Use a hang-on-back or canister filter with moderate flow. Provide smooth gravel or sand. Hardness below 4 dGH causes clamped fins. Avoid temperatures above 78°F (25.5°C) which reduce oxygen.
What is the dietary and medication protocol for Gold Barbs?
They are enthusiastic omnivores requiring 35% protein, 10% fat, 55% plant matter. Feed standard flakes, sinking granules, frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, and blanched vegetables (peas, spinach) twice daily. They accept most commercial foods. Medication alert: Tolerate copper (0.2 mg/L) and formalin. Praziquantel is safe. Salt baths up to 5 ppt treat external parasites. Quarantine with methylene blue for 7 days. They are hardy but can carry internal parasites; feed medicated food with metronidazole.
How to breed Gold Barbs in captivity?
Select 10-12 mature fish (1 male:2 female) and condition with live blackworms and spirulina flakes for 2 weeks. Set up a 20-gallon (75 liter) breeding tank with 6 inches (15 cm) of water (pH 6.8, dGH 8, 72°F/22°C), a spawning mop, and fine-leaf plants. Spawning occurs at dawn; female releases 300-500 adhesive eggs. Remove parents after 4 hours. Eggs hatch in 24-48 hours at 70°F (21°C). Fry feed on infusoria for 3 days, then microworms, then baby brine shrimp after day 7. Grow-out requires cool water and frequent water changes.

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