Rosy Barbs – Fact Sheet

Common Name: Rosy Barb

Scientific Name: Puntius conchonius

Native Range: The Indian Subcontinent ( India, Bangladesh, Nepal)

Appearance: Rosy Barbs are identified by a distinctive black spot in the caudal peduncle (Where the tail is attached to the body)Both males and females have a shiny orange color.  Females have a duller color when compared to the male.  The male turns a deep rosy red during the breeding season. 

Size: can grow up to six inches

Food: Rosy Barbs are omnivores.  Can eat conventional flakes.  They also relish freeze dried worms.

Life Expectance: 2 to 3 years

Temperament: Peaceful.  Some individual have been known to be mildly aggressive.

pH: 6.0 to 7.0

Temperature : The recommended temperature range is 17 to 22 degrees Celsius.

Reproduction: Oviparous (Egg layers)

Sexing: Golden colored with a black spot in the caudal peduncle (place where the tail is attached to the body). Males are brighter compared to females which are dull colored. 

Breeding Rosy Barbs

Rosy Barbs are easy to breed.  They attain sexual maturity when they are about 6 cms in length. 
Rosy barbs scatter their eggs.  The eggs are sticky and they fall to the bottom of the tank.  The ideal breeding Temperature will be 22 to 25 degrees C. 

Identify a female which is ready to breed.  Females with eggs have a bulge.  Males which are ready to breed usually turn bright red.  Shift the male and the female to the breeding tank.

It is better to have a coarse substrate in the breeding tank.  This permits the eggs to fall through the substrate into the tiny spaces between the substrate material.  The eggs stay protected as rosy barbs will eat their own eggs if they can access them.

Once the breeding is over (this can be seen from the female’s belly which would have become slim by now), shift the male and the female to the home tank.

The eggs hatch in about 30 hours.  The fry will be free swimming by day 5.    You can feed them infusoria or newly hatched brine shrimp.

Are Rosy Barbs Social Fish ?

Rosy Barbs are social fish. They should be kept in groups of 5 to 6 fish.  They exhibit schooling behavior which is pleasing to look at.

Rosy Barbs which are kept alone can become stressed and insecure.  This can manifest in the form of aggressive behaviour.  Stressed fish are also more vulnerable to diseases.

Are Rosy Barbs Aggressive Fish ?

Rosy Barbs are generally peaceful fish.  They do best when they are placed with a minimum of 5 to 6 fish together. 

Some individuals have been reported to attack other fish and nip the fins.  This is mostly the exception rather than the rule.

One common reason for aggression is the tank size.  Ensure that your tank is not overstocked. Rosy Barbs need their own space. 

Rosy Barbs get stressed easily.  Provide plenty of hiding spaces for the fish.

Feeding Rosy Barbs

Rosy Barbs are easy to feed.  They are omnivores and accept all types of food. You can feed them flakes, granulated food.  They also enjoy eating freeze dried worms.

Feed the fish 3 to 4 times a day in small quantities.  Only feed what the fish can consume in five minutes.  Remove uneaten food.