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Rosy barb, Pethia conchonius

Barbs · Pethia

Rosy barb

Pethia conchonius · Rivers of northern India

Photo: Usien, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Rosy barb (Pethia conchonius) is a freshwater fish from Rivers of northern India, where it lives in river habitat. Adults reach about 10 cm (3.9 in). Keep it at 18–25 °C (64–77 °F) and pH 6–8, with a gentle current. It is peaceful and does best in a group of 6 or more. It eats most foods: flakes, small pellets and frozen foods.

At a glance

Water temperature

18–25 °C 64–77 °F

pH

6–8 neutral water

Adult size

10 cm 3.9 in

Swims

Mid-water mostly in open water

Keep together

6 or more a shoal feels safe

Current

Gentle a steady gentle flow

Food

Eats most foods

Temperament

Peaceful

≈ Every value here is an estimate from typical hobby ranges. We're checking them against sources.

Where it comes from

Home water

Rivers of northern India

Lives in river habitat.

Shaded: the countries it comes from. Map: Natural Earth.

Tank mates

Checked against a roomy 300 L planted tank with moderate flow and plenty of caves. Your own tank may change the answer: try it in Your tanks.

In the hobby

In stock now

Not in stock at any store we track.

Tanks with this fish

No shared tanks have this fish yet. Share yours from Your tanks.

From keepers

Notes appear here when a keeper shares a tank with this fish and writes about it.

Questions keepers ask

How big does a Rosy barb get?

About 10 cm (3.9 in) as an adult.

What temperature does a Rosy barb need?

18–25 °C (64–77 °F).

What pH does a Rosy barb need?

pH 6–8.

Does a Rosy barb need to be kept in a group?

Yes. Keep at least 6.

Is the Rosy barb aggressive?

No. It is peaceful with fish that suit the same water.

What does a Rosy barb eat?

It eats most foods: flakes, small pellets and frozen foods.

Where does the Rosy barb come from?

Rivers of northern India.

What fish can live with a Rosy barb?

Good tank mates include Peppermint bristlenose (L181), Flash pleco (L204), Amano shrimp, Bolivian ram, Bronze corydoras.

All the numbers

Temperature min (°C)18 Estimate
Temperature max (°C)25 Estimate
pH min6 Estimate
pH max8 Estimate
Adult size (cm)10 Estimate
FlowModerate Estimate
Habitatriver Estimate
Smallest happy group6 Estimate
TemperamentPeaceful Estimate
DietOmnivore Estimate
Typical price min (CAD)3 Estimate
Typical price max (CAD)6 Estimate

Some values are estimates from typical hobby ranges and haven't been checked against a source yet.