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Rosy Barb

By The Aquarium Calculators Editorial Team ·

Pethia conchonius

Complete Rosy Barb care guide covering omnivore diet requirements, semi-aggressive temperament, minimum 20 Gallons tank setup, and compatible freshwater tankmates. Difficulty: Easy.

Rosy Barb

Quick Answer

Rosy Barb (Pethia conchonius) is a colorful, active barb from South Asia. It requires a minimum 20 Gallons aquarium with a pH of 6.0 - 7.5 and temperature range of 18-24°C. As a omnivore with semi-aggressive tendencies, careful tankmate selection is essential.

Intro

Rosy Barb (Pethia conchonius) is a colorful, active barb from South Asia. Males develop a deep rose-red coloration, especially during spawning. They are very hardy and suitable for beginners.

Setup

A 20-gallon or larger tank with open swimming areas and hardy plants (they may nibble soft plants). Good filtration and regular water changes are recommended.

Feeding

Omnivorous; eats flakes, pellets, frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, and vegetable matter. Feed twice daily.

Compatibility

Semi-aggressive; fin-nipping can occur in small groups. Keep in schools of 8+ to reduce aggression. Avoid slow, long-finned fish. Good with barbs, danios, rainbowfish.

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Tank Position
Middle
Water Temp
18-24°C
Adult Size
See profile
Water pH
6.0 - 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 Rosy 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). Rosy barbs (Pethia conchonius) are boisterous, active swimmers that can exhibit fin-nipping tendencies if kept in small groups. Groups under 6 cause stress and aggression. Maintain a 1 male to 2-3 female ratio. Provide open swimming lanes and dense plant borders. Tank length must exceed 30 inches (75 cm). Avoid long-finned tank mates (angelfish, bettas).
What are the exact water parameters for Rosy Barbs?
Target pH 6.0 - 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 - 72°F (18°C - 22°C). They are exceptionally hardy and can adapt well to unheated cool water indoor setups down to 60°F (15.5°C). Maintain nitrates below 20 ppm with weekly 25% water changes. Use a HOB or canister filter with moderate flow. Hardness below 4 dGH causes clamped fins. Avoid high temperatures above 75°F (24°C).
What is the dietary and medication protocol for Rosy Barbs?
They are eager omnivores requiring 40% protein, 10% fat, 50% plant matter. Feed premium tropical flakes, sinking granules, frozen daphnia, bloodworms, and brine shrimp twice daily. Offer spirulina flakes and blanched spinach weekly. 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 camallanus worms; treat with levamisole.
How to breed Rosy 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 6.8, dGH 6, 70°F/21°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 68°F (20°C). Fry feed on infusoria for 3 days, then microworms, then baby brine shrimp after day 7. Grow-out requires cool water.

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