Chilli Red Rosy Barb 5cm

Chilli Red Rosy Barb

The Chilli Red Rosy barb has got to be one of the best captive breeding results in the aquarium trade. Through the efforts of line breeding to enhance and bring out desirable traits, the chili red rosy barb makes for an awesome alternative to the already great-looking normal rosy barb.  These fish are great for many reasons which include them having the colours of a tropical tetra, being extremely hardy, staying small, and being in cold-water environments as well. This makes the chili red rosy barb great for a wide range of aquarium and outdoor pond settings for aquarists of all skill levels to enjoy. They make for a great alternative to goldfish which are often falsely recommended as beginner fish to new aquarists. the best thing is that chili red rosy barbs encompass a lot of what is loved in goldfish whilst still adding their unique flare. 

Chilli red rosy barbs sport a stunning metalling red colour that almost glows under aquarium lighting. They often look oversaturated in colour which makes them true showpiece fish in the aquarium. Their bright red colour is seen both in males and females which eliminates the colour dynamic of red and gold seen in normal rosy barbs. Under a stone contrasting background of blue or green, these fish will stick out like a beacon in the aquarium offering hours of enjoyment with their active behavior.

Chilli red rosy barbs can really adapt to a range in the temperature of their environment. They ideally need to be kept between 18 - 24 degrees but can easily handle a few degrees higher or lower. They also remain fairly small at 8-10 cm which means they can be enjoyed in smaller aquariums as well. Breeding these awesome rosy barbs is possible, where females will scatter eggs and males will then follow and fertilize. Rosy barbs originally come from the southern parts of Asia. 

Tank Recommendations for Chilli Red Rosy Barb

Being a small and relatively easy to care for fish the chilli red rosy barb can be kept in smaller aquariums with the minimum being 75 liters. This aquarium size allows for a decent school of these barbs along with other community fish if required. Rosy barbs ideally need to be kept in a group of 5 or more to avoid their potential fin-nipping behavior with other tank mates.

These fish will look absolutely stunning in a well-planted aquarium with a higher red spectrum in the lighting. They will appreciate a well-planted aquarium but will have little concern over the substrate or hardscape choices.
 

Suitable Tank Buddies

The Chilli red rosy barb is peaceful fish however they are well known to be fin nippers. This behavior however is really minimal when they are kept in a decent school however long-finned or slow-moving species should be kept with caution.

Usually Compatible

Tiger barbs, black neon tetras, angelfish, paradise fish, giant danios and similar species. 

Sometimes Compatible

Sword tails, long finned barb or tetra varieties such as long fin cherry barbs and slow-moving fish species like chocolate gourami.

Rarely Compatible

Neon tetra, betta, guppies and similar slow moving or excessive finned fish. Bubble eyed goldfish such as black moor are also at risk of having regions around their eye bitten. 

Feeding your Rosy Barb

Chilli red rosy barbs are a very easy fish to feed. They will take a wide range of pellets, flakes and frozen foods. Just like any fish though they should be fed a varied diet with a mix of different foods. 

The ideal diet would be a good quality micro slow sinking pellet or crushed flake, supplemented with frozen bloodworms or black worms or even live foods like baby brine shrimp or micro worms. Providing them a natural colour enhancing food that contains astaxanthin will really enhance the colours as well.