Care
The Sunset Barb is known from shallow, clear, hill-stream environments with highly-oxygenated, swiftly flowing waters. This species has a delicate beauty and is of a shy, peaceful disposition. It is best maintained in groups of 6 or more of its own kind (10+ is better) due to a naturally shoaling nature; indeed, the larger the group, the more confident they will feel. The aquarium should emulate the natural conditions as closely as possible, with slightly cooler-than-average water temperature and a moderate flow rate with a good level of oxygenation. Flat stones, pebbles, cobbles, slate, and smooth driftwood pieces can all be used to achieve a stream bed effect, and robust or fast-growing plant species could be cultivated along the back and sides, leaving an open swimming space along the front. Frequent partial water changes are a must, as this species does not appreciate elevated nitrate levels. Tankmates should be of a similar peaceful temperament, but do avoid species with long fins as they may prove too much of a temptation. Do not house with boisterous species. Unfortunately the Sunset Barb is not exported very often, but given its charm, is well worth looking out for. For years, this fish was misidentified in the trade as the Narayani Barb (P. narayani). The two can be told apart via a serrated dorsal fin spine that is present in P. setnai and absent in P. narayani. May also be seen on sale as the Indigo Barb.
Feeding
Flake, micropellets, slow-sinking pellet foods, frozen foods such as mosquito larvae, brineshrimp, daphnia, Mysis shrimp etc. May nibble at soft leaved plants.
Breeding
A separate softwater spawning aquarium should be set up with a substrate of marbles and plenty of fine-leaved plants. Filtration should be performed with a gentle air-driven (mature) sponge filter, with the water temperature set at approx 25 °C. A pair of well-conditioned fish should be carefully acclimatised across, with spawning often commencing as the first rays of morning sunshine hit the aquarium glass. It is a very active affair, with the male driving the female over the plants, and can last as long as 2 hours. Several hundred 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. Hatching should occur within 24-48 hours (temperature dependent) with the fry free-swimming a further 24 hours later. At this point they can be offered infusoria followed by baby brineshrimp (Artemia nauplii) as they grow.
