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Mascara barb

Dawkinsia assimilis

FreshwaterFish

Mascara barb (Dawkinsia assimilis)
(c) Rahul Gautam, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by

Care at a glance

Temperature
66–77°F
19–25°C
pH
6.5–7.5
Adult size
4.7 in
12 cm
Minimum tank
53 gal
200 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Easy
Breeding
Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Cyprinidae
Origin
India

Overview

Mascara barbs are peaceful, active shoaling fish that need a group of at least six, and preferably more, to look and behave their best and to keep their energy focused within the shoal. They are strong swimmers of the open middle water and do well in a spacious community with other medium sized, active species. Their size and pace can overwhelm very small or shy tankmates, so choose companions of similar build. Feed a varied diet of flake, pellets, frozen foods, and some vegetable matter to keep their color rich. A tank around 200 liters or larger provides the swimming room this lively barb requires.

In the wild

This barb is native to the fast flowing rivers and streams of the Western Ghats in southern India, where it lives in clear, well oxygenated water over rock and gravel. It is comfortable in a moderate range of about 19–25 C and a near neutral pH of 6.5–7.5. Provide a roomy tank with brisk current, a base of sand and rounded gravel, and water worn boulders and driftwood. Keep planting to the margins so the shoal has a long, open lane to swim, and maintain clean, oxygen rich water.

Good to know

Dawkinsia assimilis belongs to the family Cyprinidae and reaches about 12 cm. Like others in its genus, mature males grow extended rays on the dorsal fin and develop rich breeding colors. The genus Dawkinsia was separated from the broad old genus Puntius in 2012 and named for the biologist Richard Dawkins. It is an egg scattering, non guarding spawner that can be bred in a dedicated setup with moderate effort.

Did you know

The name mascara barb comes from the dark, smoky markings that spread across the face and around the eyes of breeding males, as if the fish were wearing eye makeup. At their peak these males also flush with red and gold and trail long dorsal fin rays as they display to females.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

Mascara barb is a peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a Mascara barb need?

A Mascara barb needs at least 53 gal (200 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a Mascara barb need?

A Mascara barb is comfortable at 66–77°F (19–25°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.5.

How big does a Mascara barb get?

An adult Mascara barb reaches about 4.7 in (12 cm).

Does a Mascara barb need a group?

Yes. A Mascara barb is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

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