ROSY BARB, Puntius conchonius, Barbus conchonius

The Rosy Barb Puntius conchonius (previously Barbus conchonius ) is one of the most beautiful of the freshwater fish. They have a silvery or coppery pink color with a green cast along the back, and the males will have more pink on their underbellies. They are hardy, undemanding, and fun to watch because they are constantly on the move. These qualities make them one of the most desirable starter fish.

An image of Puntius conchonius (Rosy Barb, Prachtbarbe, Praktbarb) (Photo: Wikipedia)

The color of these fish is always attractive but it most impressive when they are spawning. The males silvery color intensifies to a deep rosy red or a purplish red, and the fins get pink and black. Though usually referred to as a Rosy Barb, another common name they are known by is the Red Barb. They have also been developed in several ornamental varieties. Some of these include the Neon Rosy Barb, Long Fin Rosy Barb, Red Glass Rosy Barb, and Gold Neon Rosy Barb.

These barbs are a delightful choice for a beginning fish keeper but will make a dynamic display in any aquarists tank. They are peaceful and will do well in a community aquarium, with only an occasional nip on a tankmates fins. They do prefer cooler water than much other tropical fish, needing temperatures between 64-72° F (18-22° C). Be sure to select tankmates that will also thrive in a cooler tank.

Depending on the region they are from these fish vary some in appearance and size. They are one of the larger barb species so do need at least a 20-gallon tank. In the wild, they can reach lengths of up to 6 inches (15 cm). In the aquarium, however, it is more common for them to only reach about 4 inches (10 cm). Not only are they very active, they are great jumpers, so the aquarium needs to be covered.

When kept in a school, the males display an interesting behavior. They will continually swim around each other with their fins spread out, showing off their best colors. These fish are very prolific breeders but they will need a breeding tank with shallow water. They will happily spawn in water that is just a couple of inches deep.

The Rosy Barb has a torpedo shaped body and its tail is forked. It has only one dorsal fin. Lacking an adipose fin, a second dorsal fin to the rear of the first is a characteristic of all the Cyprinid fishes. This is a good sized fish reaching a length of up to 6 inches (15 cm) in the wild, though they generally only reach about 4 inches (10 cm) in the aquarium. They are mature at 2.5 inches (6 cm) and have an average lifespan of about 5 years.

The general coloration is silvery or coppery pink body with somewhat of a greenish cast along the back. Males are a more reddish color, especially on the underbelly and sides. There is a black spot just in front of caudal peduncle, and there may be some black along the top margins of the anal and dorsal fins. These fish will vary some in appearance and size, depending on the region they are from.

Size of fish – inches: 5.9 inches (15.01 cm) – In the wild, these fish can reach up to 6 inches (15 cm), but in captivity, they generally only get about 4 inches (10 cm).

Excerpt from an original article on Animal-World.com Copyright © [Animal-World] 1998-2012. All rights reserved.

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BARBS and PUNTIUS Aquarium Fish - Tip On Their Care

Learning about fish care and how to maintain an aquarium is very important if you want to own fish. As living beings fish need a lot of attention, some food, oxygen, water and a clean environment to live in. You need to make a commitment if want fish to take care of, but if you want something easier to look after then you should, perhaps, collect rocks instead. In today's modern world, the aquariums are quite self-sufficient with tanks that have alls sorts of switches with controls to regulate them. 

Pentazona Barb, P. pentazona
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

There are lights, filters, pumps, food, dosage control and many other gadgets which you can purchase. You can soon learn how to look after after fish and plants without much stress over whether the water conditions are right and if it is pure enough. You can buy testing kits to measure the waters chemical intake, so that you can correct it if necessary. There are breeds of fish that you might want to consider when setting up your aquarium

Barbs belong to the largest groups of fish with many varieties for your aquarium and its waters. These fish are made up of colourful patterns and are usually happy in nature. Being very fish they are not too fussy when it comes to water conditions so are the easiest to feed. This is a good choice of fish to breed. Barbs will grow to 2 inches, 3 inches, or a larger size. Separate them and put them in communal tanks, with the smaller ones together, and the larger ones in a separate tank. The larger ones are nice to look out but will rip apart such goodies as the plants in the aquarium. Read up on all you can about the larger barbs which can brew up some trouble in a tank. As these fish breed, you should feed infusoria to the fry right from the beginning. Saltwater shrimp can be digested by the larger barbs.

How Barbs Live

A large, well oxyenated tank is preferable for barbs so it has plenty of room to swim around in. Smaller tanks make them feel stressed and more likely to cause some sort of disturbance.

The Eggs

When barbs lay their eggs they stick, so the aquarium should be laid with pebble all over the bottom, with plants of a high volume which is the ideal habitat for them. It is optional to place nylon and willow root. These fish are greedy, and the adult fish should be removed from the tank after spawning, as they will the youngsters.

The Red Barb or the Rosy Barb fish are the commonly known Puntius Conchonius. They originate from India, growing to a size of 2 1/2 inches. These fish have bodies of a silvery colour which light up well in a good, clean tank, showing off their deep rosy red. They can also change to a pale green shade. There are black tints which set off their fins. This fish is energetic, but has a quiet, calm nature. They are better off houses with fish of a similar size due to its boisterous side.

The Water Condition

The Puntius live in waters which are quite neutral and alkaline, and also the moderately hard waters. Temperatures of the water should be set at 78 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a choice fish if you are breeding for the first time as it will eat anything and likes to eat well. They spawn up to 300 layers.

Puntius Nigrofasciatus are closely related to the Puntius Conchonius which fish known as the Purple Head Barbs or the Black Ruby. These fish dwell in Ceylon and grow up to a size of around 2 1/2 inches. The males are different in colour to the females which usually have dark stripes, vertical to a body of yellowish-grey. Also an easy fish to breed, most water conditions are tolerated and foods too.

By Abhishek Agarwal Abhishek is an avid Fish Lover and he has got some great Aquarium Care Secrets up his sleeves! Article Source: EzineArticles

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