Black ruby barb
Pethia nigrofasciata
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The black ruby barb is endemic to southwestern Sri Lanka, from the Kelani to Nilwala basins, from cool, shaded forest streams. It eats mainly filamentous algae and detritus. When breeding the male darkens and its head turns reddish-purple. It scatters over 100 eggs among marginal plants. It is farmed commercially.
- Scientific name
- Pethia nigrofasciata
- Family
- Cyprinidae
Fact sheet
General
- Water
- Freshwater
- Group
- Fish
Taxonomy
- Family
- Cyprinidae
- Order
- Cypriniformes
- Synonyms
- Barbus nigrofasciatus, Puntius nigrofasciatus
Origin
- Native region
- Ásia
Water
- Temperature
- 20–27 °C
- pH
- 5.5–7.5
- General hardness (GH)
- 2–15 °dGH
Size and lifespan
- Adult size
- 5.5 cm
- Minimum tank (volume)
- 72 L
- Minimum tank (length)
- 80 cm
Behavior
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social life
- School
- Minimum group
- 6
- Swimming level
- Middle
- Diet
- Detritivore
Care
- Care difficulty
- Easy
Reproduction
- Breeding strategy
- Egg scatterer
Conservation and trade
- IUCN status
- Vulnerable (VU)
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