Male Rosy Barb 5cm

Male Rosy Barb

The rosy barb is an often overlooked but fantastic beginner fish species. It has the amazing colours of a tropical tetra, is extremely hardy, stays small, and can live in cold-water environments as well. This makes the 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 rosy barbs encompass a lot of what is loved in goldfish whilst still adding their unique flare.

Both males and females in rosy barbs are beautiful in their own regard however males are arguably more stunning especially in a display aquarium setting. They have a very unique metallic orange colour from head to tail with little flecks of platinum white on the scales. The back of the fish is split with an emerald green colour which is contrasted with the jet black fin tips. Males also develop longer flowing fins compared to females but this male exclusive option also allows you to top up your rosy barb breeding colony if needed as well!

Rosy barbs can really 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 rosy barbs is possible where females will scatter eggs and males will then follow and fertilise. Rosy barbs originally come from the southern parts of Asia.

Tank Recommendations for Male Rosy Barb

Being a small and relatively easy to care for fish the rosy barb can be kept in smaller aquariums with the minimum being 75 litres. 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 behaviour with other tank mates.

They will appreciate a well-planted aquarium but will have little concern over the substrate or hardscape choices. These are also fish that look amazing against a darker aquarium background with a higher level of red in the lighting used for the tank.

Suitable Tank Buddies

The rosy barb is a peaceful fish however they are well known to be fin nippers. This behaviour 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

Swordtails, 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 Male Rosy Barb

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.