Rosy barb (Puntius conchonius)

Scientific name: Puntius conchonius Hamilton, 1822

The Rosy barb (Puntius conchonius) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 18–22°C (64–72°F). Native range: Asia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. Reported from Myanmar. Introduced worldwide and now very popular with aquarists.

Rosy barb care at a glance

Temperature
18–22°C (64–72°F)

Biology

Inhabits lakes and fast flowing hill streams. One of the hardiest of the barbs, undemanding and beautiful; most impressively colored during the mating period, when the normally silvery male takes on a rich claret flush and the slightly larger female becomes more luminous. Can be kept together with other small fishes. Feeds on worms, crustaceans, insects and plant matter. Prolific spawner that tolerates low water temperatures. Aquarium keeping: in groups of 5 or more individuals; minimum aquarium size 80 cm.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Puntius conchonius
Family
Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps)
Order
Cypriniformes (Carps)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
14.0
Environment
Freshwater;; pH range: 6.0 - 8.0; dH range: 5 - 19 benthopelagic
Climate
Subtropical
Distribution
Asia: Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. Reported from Myanmar. Introduced worldwide and now very popular with aquarists.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: highly commercial
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (tm

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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