Edit Pethia nigrofasciata

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Name

Scientific name

Pethia nigrofasciata

Described by

Authority Günther, Year 1868

Family

Cyprinidae

Summary

The black ruby barb, Pethia nigrofasciata, is a small cyprinid endemic to the Kelani and Nilwala river basins in the 'wet zone' of Sri Lank…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

55mm, standard length

Tank size

Minimum length 80 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm

Water

Temperature and pH

Temperature 20–27°C, pH 5.5–7.5

Hardness

2–15dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Peaceful

Community suitability

Community-safe

Where it lives

Countries

Sri Lanka

Supporting text

Etymology

Pethia: the generic vernacular name for small cyprinids in the Sinhala language. nigrofasciata: from the Latin niger, meaning 'black', and fasciatus, meaning '…

Distribution

Endemic to Sri Lanka where it's restricted to the Kelani and Nilwala river basins in the southwestern 'wet zone' of the island, plus smaller drainages in the a…

Endemic to Sri Lanka where it's restricted to the Kelani and Nilwala river basins in the southwestern 'wet zone' of the island, plus smaller drainages in the area between them.

Export of wild specimens from Sri Lanka is currently prohibited meaning all those available in the aquarium trade should theoretically be bred on a commercial basis, although wild fish are apparently still collected.

Reports suggest that the more brightly-coloured fish are becoming scarcer and there exists a possibility that selective collection for the aquarium trade have altered the structure of wild populations.

That said, very little of the country's forest cover remains due to human activities, with the result that habitat and water quality have been heavily degraded and numerous native fish species are now considered at risk of extinction.

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Where does this come from?

My own experienceFor example, I've kept twelve in a planted 60 cm tank since March 2024.A website I sawFor example, an IUCN Red List assessment, a museum catalogue or a FishBase page.A paperFor example, Marshall et al. (2011), Water temperature differences in interfluvial palm swamp habitats of Paracheirodon axelrodi and P. simulans.A book, or something not onlineFor example, Tappin (2010), Rainbowfishes: their care and keeping in captivity.Something already on the profileFor example, the Behaviour and compatibility section already says this.

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DOI

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Authors

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Year

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Pages

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Anything worth adding

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Habitat

The 'wet zone' of southwestern Sri Lanka is an area receiving annual rainfall of 2000 – 3000 mm79 – 118 in, much of which arrives during the South-West monsoon…

Aquarium size

Base dimensions of at least 80 ∗ 30 cm31 ∗ 12 in or equivalent are required.

Maintenance

Choice of décor is not especially critical though it tends to show better colouration in a heavily-planted set-up with a dark substrate. The addition of some f…

Water conditions

Temperature: 20 – 27 °C68 – 81 °F pH: The farm-raised fish available in stores are fairly adaptable where water chemistry is concerned and should be happy with…

Diet

Wild fish are probably foragers feeding on diatoms, algae, organic detritus, small insects, worms, crustaceans, and other zooplankton. In the aquarium it's eas…

Behaviour and compatibility

Generally very peaceful making it an ideal resident of the well-researched community aquarium. As it places no special demands in terms of water chemistry it c…

Sexual dimorphism

Adult males are noticeably smaller, slimmer, and more colourful than females, especially during the spawning season when the overall colour pattern darkens wit…

Reproduction

Like most small cyprinids Pethia spp. are egg-scattering free spawners exhibiting no parental care. When in good condition they will spawn often and in a matur…

Notes

This species is sometimes traded as 'purple-headed barb' or simply 'ruby barb'. It was formerly included in the Puntius conchonius 'group' of closely-related s…

References

6 on this profile

Name

Scientific name

Described by

Family

Summary

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

Tank size

Water

Temperature and pH

Hardness

Conductivity

Behaviour

Temperament

Social needs

Community suitability

Where it lives

Countries

Supporting text

Etymology

Distribution

Habitat

Aquarium size

Maintenance

Water conditions

Diet

Behaviour and compatibility

Sexual dimorphism

Reproduction

Notes

References

References