Rosy barb (Pethia conchonius) care guide

Group
Freshwater fish
Other names
Red barb, Long-finned rosy barb, Neon rosy barb, Golden rosy barb, Super red rosy barb
Family
Cyprinidae (Smiliogastrinae, barbs)
Origin
Pakistan, India, Nepal and Bangladesh (also reported from Afghanistan); hill streams, rivers, lakes, ponds and swamps. Feral populations exist in several countries.
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
10 cm
Temperature
16–24°C
pH
6–8
Hardness
Moderately soft to hard, 5–20 dGH
Minimum tank
90 litres
Care level
beginner
Temperament
peaceful
Lifespan
Up to 5 years years

Care

The rosy barb is one of the hardiest small cyprinids in the hobby, and a good choice for beginners. It is an active schooling fish that should be kept in a group of at least 8–10. It grows larger than many barbs and swims constantly, so a tank with a base of at least 100 × 30 cm (around 90 litres) is a sensible minimum. Give it plenty of open swimming space with plants and some rocks or wood around the sides and back. It may eat delicate plants, so tougher species such as Anubias, Java fern or Cryptocoryne are a safer choice. A good lid helps, as it is a strong swimmer. It is a subtropical fish that prefers cooler water than most tropicals: about 16–24 °C, pH roughly 6–8 and moderately soft to hard water (5–20 dGH). It can be kept in an unheated tank in a warm room, and a cooler spell in winter is natural. Males are smaller, slimmer and more colourful than females, turning deep rosy red on the body with black-tipped fins when in condition; breeding males also develop small white tubercles on the head and snout. Females are larger, rounder and olive-gold, with only a faint blush. Selectively bred strains include long-finned and veil-tail forms, 'neon', 'super red' and golden fish. Long-finned forms should not be kept with fin-nippers. Wild fish are rarely sold; almost all stock is commercially bred. The species is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. Sources: Seriously Fish (seriouslyfish.com/species/pethia-conchonius/); FishBase (fishbase.se/summary/Pethia-conchonius.html); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosybarb). Checked October 2026.

Diet

A generalist omnivore that eats worms, insects, other small invertebrates and plant matter. In the aquarium it is greedy and easy to feed: give a good flake or granule with plenty of plant content, plus regular live or frozen bloodworm, Daphnia and Artemia. It may nibble soft plants.

Breeding

An egg-scattering free spawner that gives no parental care and readily eats its own eggs. Condition the fish well, then move a pair or small group to a breeding tank with fine-leaved plants, spawning mops or mesh over the base. Spawning normally starts early in the morning, and several hundred eggs can be laid. Remove the adults afterwards. Eggs hatch in 24–48 hours depending on temperature, and the fry swim freely about a day after hatching. Feed infusoria-sized foods first, then microworm and newly hatched brine shrimp.

Compatibility and tank mates

Generally peaceful and a good community fish when kept in a proper group, though small or bored groups may nip fins. Suits other active fish of similar size that are happy in cooler water, such as other barbs, danios, larger tetras, livebearers, rainbowfish, loaches and catfish. Avoid slow, long-finned fish such as bettas.

Last updated 5 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

About Aquatic-Auctions

  • Aquatic-Auctions (aquatic-auctions.com) is a UK online marketplace for aquarium and pond livestock and equipment: tropical and marine fish, corals, shrimp, snails and other invertebrates, aquatic plants, tanks, filtration, lighting and food.
  • Items are sold by auction, buy it now or classified advert, by hobbyist and business sellers in the UK.
  • Buyers pay sellers directly; Aquatic-Auctions does not hold the money. Hobbyist sellers can only take PayPal or cash on collection. Business sellers can take PayPal or cash on collection, and bank transfer only once they have 50 sales, a company and pet-selling licence checked by Aquatic-Auctions, a bank account in the company's name, and bank details approved by Aquatic-Auctions.
  • Buyers are told to pay by PayPal Goods & Services, never PayPal Friends and Family, gift cards or crypto.
  • Live fish and other vertebrates must be sent by specialist live-animal couriers (for example APC Overnight or DX Express), never by Royal Mail. Some invertebrates and plants may go by Royal Mail Special Delivery or 1st Class within its rules.
  • Banned and invasive species (for example those on the GB invasive species lists) cannot be listed, and sellers must meet the site’s animal welfare standards.
  • Members must be 16 or over to buy (16 and 17-year-olds with a parent or guardian’s agreement); sellers must be 18 or over.
  • Business sellers show their address, company details and pet-selling licence to buyers. Seller ratings run from 0 to 100: +1 for each positive feedback, −1 for each negative.
  • The site includes a free community species wiki with care guides (water parameters, tank size, diet, temperament, breeding).
  • Aquatic-Auctions is run by Etavonni Tech Limited trading as Aquatic-Auctions (company number 10204188), Aldershot, Hampshire, UK. Contact: [email protected].