Arulius barb

Care at a glance

Overview

Keep them in a school of at least six, since they are happiest and calmest in numbers. They are active, peaceful swimmers that use the middle of the tank and like room to move. Their size and energy mean they suit other active fish rather than slow or delicate ones. Feed a varied diet of flakes, pellets, and regular live or frozen food to keep their color and condition up.

In the wild

The arulius barb comes from rivers and streams in India, in clear, flowing water over rocky and sandy beds. These are cooler waters than many tropical fish prefer. Give them a roomy tank with some current, open swimming space, and a few plants along the edges. Keep the temperature on the cool side, from around 19 to 25 C, with a pH from 6 to 7.5.

Good to know

This is a cyprinid, now placed in the genus Dawkinsia, reaching about 10 cm. Mature males develop long, trailing extensions on the dorsal fin that females lack. It is an egg scatterer, and breeding it is moderate in difficulty. It is one of several Indian barbs whose wild ranges are limited, so tank-bred fish are the better choice.

Did you know

Mature males grow long streamers off the dorsal fin that they flick around when displaying to females and rival males. The genus name Dawkinsia honors the biologist Richard Dawkins, given in recognition of his work explaining evolution to the public.

Related species

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