Description

Also known by the names Red Torpedo Barb and Roseline Shark, the Denison’s Barb (Sahyadria denisonii) is one of the most strikingly colorful and active fish available for the freshwater aquarium. It has become extremely popular among aquarists over the past few years, and a few commercial breeding programs have been developed to ensure its longevity in the aquarium hobby. The Denison’s Barb is known for its incredible bright red coloration, as well as its peaceful disposition. It is a very hardy species that will thrive in most community and planted aquariums of appropriate size.

Care is simple for the Denison’s Barb. It is tolerant of a wide range of water parameters, but it will thrive in an aquarium with ample filtration and moderate to high water flow. This active fish is known to jump occasionally, so a secure aquarium lid is recommended. It will readily eat most high-quality dry foods, but it should also be offered fresh vegetables such as zucchini and cucumber as well as meaty frozen or freeze-dried foods. 

As stated above, the Denison’s Barb is a peaceful fish, but it will prey on dwarf shrimp and other very small invertebrates. It does not seem to bother most snails, and we have found it to be generally peaceful with most larger shrimp (such as Amano, Flower, Green Lace, and Vampire Shrimp) as long as they are too large to be considered easy prey. The Denison’s Barb is a schooling fish that should be kept in a group of at least 6 to 8 fish.