Rosy Barb
Pethia conchonius
Family: Cyprinidae • Origin: South Asia
Rosy Barbs are large, colorful barbs that tolerate cool water. Males turn deep rosy pink when displaying. Hardy and active.
Min Tank
20 gal
Max Size
4"
Temperature
64-77°F
pH
6.5-7.5
Lifespan
5 years
School Size
6+
Swim Level
middle
Hardness
5-15 dGH
peacefulbeginneromnivoreschooling
Care Tips
- • Tolerates cool water (64-77°F)
- • Males turn deep pink when displaying
- • Keep in groups of 6+
- • Active — needs swimming space
- • May eat delicate plants
Feeding: Flakes, pellets, vegetables, frozen foods. Unfussy eater.
Compatibility Notes: Tolerates cooler water. Peaceful but active — may stress very shy fish. Can nip long fins occasionally.
Tank Setup & Water Parameters
Tank Requirements
- Minimum Tank Size
- 20 gallons
- Recommended Tank Size
- 30 gallons
- Swimming Level
- middle
- Minimum School Size
- 6+ fish
Water Parameters
- Temperature
- 64–77°F
- pH Range
- 6.5–7.5
- Hardness (dGH)
- 5–15
- Water Type
- freshwater
Behavior & Temperament
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Aggression Level
- 2/5
- Schooling
- Yes
- Territorial
- No
- Fin Nipper
- No
- Predatory
- No
- Diet Type
- omnivore
- Growth Rate
- fast
Tolerates cooler water. Peaceful but active — may stress very shy fish. Can nip long fins occasionally.
Breeding
- Breeding Type
- egg layer
- Breeding Difficulty
- easy
- Lifespan
- 5 years
Ideal For
20 galloncool water tankcommunity
Compatible Tank Mates
View all →
Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
70-81°FpH 6-710+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.5"
Ember Tetra
Hyphessobrycon amandae
73-84°FpH 5.5-75+ gal
peacefulschooling 8+0.8"
Black Neon Tetra
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
73-81°FpH 5.5-7.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.6"
Serpae Tetra
Hyphessobrycon eques
72-82°FpH 6-7.520+ gal
semi-aggressiveschooling 6+1.75"
Black Skirt Tetra
Gymnocorymbus ternetzi
70-82°FpH 6-7.515+ gal
peacefulschooling 5+3"
Endler's Livebearer
Poecilia wingei
72-82°FpH 6.5-85+ gal
peacefulschooling 3+1.5"
Similar Species
Cherry Barb
Puntius titteya
73-81°FpH 6-7.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2"
Gold Barb
Barbodes semifasciolatus
64-75°FpH 6-7.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+3"
Odessa Barb
Pethia padamya
72-79°FpH 6.5-7.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2.5"
Melon Barb
Haludaria fasciata
72-79°FpH 6-710+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+3"