Family: Cyprinidae
Distribution: Puntius conchonius, better known as Rosy Barb, is an Asian freshwater species found in Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and has been reported in Myanmar. It is distributed in lakes and fast-flowing hill streams.
PH: 6.0 – 8.0
Temperature: 18°C – 22C (64 – 72F)
Hardness: 5 – 19 dH
Description: Puntius conchonius can reach a maximum length of 14 cm. This barbel-less species has a slight lateral compression and a black spot near its caudal peduncle. It has a copper to green-gold back and metallic, bright orange to red flanks. Males, during spawning, turn a deep, bright red colour. Females are slightly larger than males; this species is beautiful and undemanding, which makes it one of the most desirable aquarium fish available.
Diet: The Rosy Barb is an omnivorous species that feeds upon worms, insects and crustaceans in the wild. In an aquarium environment, Puntius conchonius could be fed a variety of flake foods in addition to this live-food diet.
Breeding: Puntius conchonius is an egg scatterer and does not display parental care; remove the adults immediately once the eggs appear. The Rosy Barb will drop its eggs in densely planted areas. Provide a marble substrate and a water level of 3 – 8 inches when attempting to breed. This species can be spawned in a ratio of one male to two females; you should feed the adults up on live-foods to increase chances of effective spawning. Eggs – hundreds of them – will hatch in 24 – 30 hours and the fry can be fed roftiers, liquid food and powdered flake food after the yolk sac stage has finished.
Comments: You should tank this species in a tank with a capacity of at least 20 gallons. Add plenty of plant life to the corners of your tank and leave large open swimming spaces. The main tank’s substrate should be either a fine gravel or sand. You should make frequent partial water changes as opposed to large amounts of new water. This is one of the easiest species to keep and is highly recommended to beginners.
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Recommended Compatible Species: Puntius conchonius is a lively schooling fish that should be kept in groups of at least 8 – 10. Avoid housing this boisterous species with quiet, shy fish. Danios, Gouramis, Doradids, Loricariids and Loaches will all make excellent tank mates for this robust species.
Originally posted 2010-01-18 08:27:27. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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