Edit Pethia nigrofasciata
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Name
Scientific name
Pethia nigrofasciata
Described by
Authority Günther, Year 1868, Bracketed
Family
Cyprinidae
Common names
Black Ruby Barb
Photograph credits
All 11 credited
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
Aquarium size
Minimum length 80 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 20–27°C, pH 5.5–7.5
Hardness
2–15dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Peaceful
Social needs
A shoal or group
Community suitability
Community-safe
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
Sri Lanka, Kelani, Nilwala
Writing
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…
Habitat
The 'wet zone' of southwestern Sri Lanka is an area receiving annual rainfall of 2000 – 3000 mm, much of which arrives during the South-West monsoons between M…
Aquarium size
Base dimensions of at least 80 ∗ 30 cm 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 °C pH: The farm-raised fish available in stores are fairly adaptable where water chemistry is concerned and should be happy within the ran…
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
References
6 on this profile