Care
Naturally occurring in cooler water hillstreams, Rosy Barbs make beautiful, lively additions for the spacious temperate aquarium. As a shoaling species, they must be kept in groups of 6 or more of their own kind. Smaller shoals are unnatural and will result in nervous fish, which may bicker or exhibit "nippy" behaviour. A large group normally dispels these traits. The aquarium should incorporate a good flow rate with areas of dense planting and a large open swimming space in the centre. Only hardy or fast-growing plants should be used, as Rosy Barbs will enjoy consuming fine-leaved or soft-leaved species. Due to their dynamic behaviour, they may unsettle shy, quiet fish species. Not recommended for housing with fish possessing elaborate finnage. Small partial water changes should be carried out on a regular basis, as Rosy Barbs can be sensitive to larger, more infrequent changes. "Neon" and "long-finned" strains are also available.
Feeding
Flake, green flake, micropellets, small granular foods, spinach, lettuce, frozen foods such as mosquito larvae, brineshrimp and daphnia. Known to nibble on green filamentous and black-brush algaes.
Breeding
A separate spawning aquarium should be set up with a substrate of marbles and plenty of fine-leaved plants. The temperature should be set at approx 25-26 °C, and a trio (one male and two females) of well-conditioned fish acclimatised across. Spawning is often triggered when the first rays of morning sunshine hit the aquarium glass, and it is a very active affair. The eggs will be scattered over the plants and marbles, and the hungry parents must be removed immediately after the spawning or else they will predate on the eggs. The tank should be kept in darkness as the eggs are light-sensitive. The eggs usually hatch within 36 hours and once the fry become free-swimming, they can be offered tiny foods such as infusoria.
