Moderate

Melon Barb

By The Aquarium Calculators Editorial Team ·

Haludaria fasciata

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

Melon Barb

Quick Answer

Melon Barb (Haludaria fasciata) is a colorful barb from India. It requires a minimum 20 Gallons aquarium with a pH of 6.0 - 7.0 and temperature range of 22-26°C. This omnivore occupies the middle zone and makes an excellent addition to community setups.

Intro

Melon Barb (Haludaria fasciata) is a colorful barb from India. Males develop a deep melon-red color with dark vertical bars.

Setup

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

Feeding

Omnivorous; accepts small flakes, micro pellets, frozen daphnia, and brine shrimp.

Compatibility

Peaceful and somewhat shy. Keep in schools of 8+. Good with other small, peaceful fish: tetras, rasboras, Corydoras, and dwarf cichlids.

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Tank Position
Middle
Water Temp
22-26°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 Melon 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). Melon barbs (Haludaria fasciata) are active, peaceful barbs that display a deep rosy-gold color when kept in numbers over 10. Groups under 6 cause faded colors and fin-nipping. Maintain a 1 male to 2 female ratio. Provide dense background plants (Hygrophila, Vallisneria) and open swimming lanes. Tank length must exceed 30 inches (75 cm) for their active midwater swimming.
What are the exact water parameters for Melon Barbs?
Target pH 6.0 - 7.0, General Hardness 3 - 10 dGH, Carbonate Hardness 2 - 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 parameters with dense background plants and open swimming lanes. Maintain nitrates below 15 ppm with weekly 25% water changes. Use a sponge or HOB filter with moderate flow. Add driftwood and Indian almond leaves. Hardness above 12 dGH reduces coloration.
What is the dietary and medication protocol for Melon Barbs?
They are omnivores requiring 35% protein, 10% fat, 55% plant matter. Feed high-quality flakes, micro pellets, frozen daphnia, brine shrimp, and bloodworms twice daily. Offer spirulina flakes and blanched spinach weekly. 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 hardy but can carry camallanus worms; treat with levamisole.
How to breed Melon Barbs in captivity?
Select 10-12 mature fish (1 male:2 female) and condition with live blackworms and brine shrimp for 2 weeks. Set up a 20-gallon (75 liter) breeding tank with 5 inches (12 cm) of water (pH 6.5, dGH 5, 78°F/25.5°C), a spawning mop, and fine-leaf plants. Spawning occurs at dawn; female releases 200-300 adhesive eggs. Remove parents after 4 hours. Eggs hatch in 24-36 hours at 75°F (24°C). Fry feed on infusoria for 3 days, then microworms, then baby brine shrimp after day 7. Grow-out requires frequent water changes.

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