Mascara Barb (Dawkinsia Assimilis) Species Profile & Care Guide

Mascara barbs have pinky-red colouration around their snout and fins, and a blue line under the eyes hence the name, they are a silvery colour with an almond-shaped black spot on the caudal peduncle and red and black tips to the tail fin.

Although these species do not nip fins of other fish, this species is relatively boisterous, the males especially engaging in chases. This species is known to be somewhat predatory

Mascara Barbs - Dawkinsia Assimilis

Natural Habitat of the Mascara Barb

Mascara barbs come from Southwest Indian states of Karnataka and Kerala having been discovered in Netravati, Chalakudy and Kallada river basins in recent years. However, the precise extent of its distribution remains unclear.

They have been seen in slow-flowing muddy waters to clear, rocky, flowing stretches between waterfalls

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Diet

Mascara barbs are not fussy so quite easy to feed. A balanced diet comprising regular meals of small, live and frozen foods such as blood worm and daphnia as well as good quality granules and dried flakes will encourage the most satisfactory condition and colours.

Breeding the Mascara Barb

Mascara barbs are egg-scatterers with good water conditions they will often spawn, and in an established aquarium, you may see small numbers of fry starting to appear without intervention.

It would be best if you had a separate tank dimly lit and the bottom covered with some mesh of a large enough grade so that the eggs can fall through but small enough so that the adults cannot reach them.

Frquently asked questions about the Mascara Barb

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