Black Ruby Barb (Pethia nigrofasciata)
The Ruby Barb is a gorgeously coloured, peaceful, small fish that is well suited to any community aquarium with many other fish species.
They are hardy and adaptable and show there best colours and their confidence when in the right tank conditions.
This species of barb possess a pointed deep purple-red coloured head, high back, and ruby red body. They have three black bands that run vertically through there body.
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| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pethia nigrofasciata |
| Other Names | Purple-Headed Barb, purple head barb, ruby barb, black barb |
| Classification | Actinopterygii |
| Order | Cypriniformes |
| Family | Cyprinidae |
| Genus | Pethia |
| Origins | Sri Lanka |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Aquarium Level | Bottom - Middle |
| Difficulty | Beginner |
| Shoaling | Yes |
| Best kept as | Groups 5+ |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Reproduction | Egg-Scatterer |
| Lifespan | 3 -4 years |
| Water Parameters | |
|---|---|
| Water Type | Freshwater |
| PH | 5.5 - 7.5 |
| GH | 5 - 12 |
| TDS | 36 - 268 |
| Temperature | |
|---|---|
| 72 - 79℉ 22.2 - 26.1℃ | |
Feeding
In the home aquarium, the Black Ruby Barb will readily accept most good quality dried foods such as granules, flakes and sinking pellets. These modern food products have been developed to provide all adequate nutrition to maintain your fish's health and dietary requirements.
Providing additional foodstuffs such as live, frozen, and freeze-dried meals such as bloodworm, daphnia, and tubifex once or twice a week will provide additional benefits to your fish's health and well-being but is not a must for this fish.
It should be noted that bloodworms should only be given as an occasional treat and should not be used as the staple diet as they are difficult for fish to digest and can potentially cause blockages.
This fish is an omnivore in the wild, meaning it will consume some vegetable matter. Although most modern fish foods take this into account and include them in their products, you can still supplement your fish's diet with blanched vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, and zucchini. Ensure you do not overfeed your fish and remove any leftovers the following day.
Tank Mates
1 interesting tank mate ideas for the Black Ruby Barb could include:
Sexual Dimorphism
It is easy to recognise a female from a male Black Ruby Barb in several different ways.
The males develop a more intense ruby colour, not only in their bodies by also on their dorsal and anal fins.
The females are much paler, and only the base of their dorsal fin turns black as well as having more rounded bellies, and they grow slightly longer than males.