Golden Dwarf Barb (Pethia gelius)

Golden Dwarf Barb Pethia gelius
Name	Golden Dwarf Barb
Name Lat.	Pethia gelius
Synonym	Puntius gelius
Family	Carps
Family lat.	Cyprinidae
Order	Carps
Order lat.	Cypriniformes
Origin	India
Habitat	Tributaries, forest streams
Diet	Omnivore
pH	6.0-7.0
Behavior	Peaceful
Keeping	Group
Care Level	Moderate
Reproduction	Egg scatterer
Breeding	Moderately difficult
Life Span	2-3 years
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	4 cm
Temperature	18-24 °C
Hardness	1-10 °dH
Aquarium	60 l
US Units
Size	1.6"
Temperature	64-75 °F
Hardness	18-178 ppm
Aquarium	15 gal

Distribution and habitat

Dwarf spotted barbs are widely distributed from central India to Assam. They live mostly in the shallow margins and stillwaters of tributaries and forest streams with roots, often muddy bottoms and dense riparian vegetation.

Maintenance

The aquarium should have a dense border planting, with hiding and retreat possibilities (roots, stones) and offer sufficient swimming space. With slightly shaded light (floating plants) and a dark substrate covered with some foliage (e.g. sea almond leaves) they show the most beautiful coloration.

No ammonia, ammonium and nitrite should be detectable, the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and oxygen content, a filter and heater adapted to the aquarium size is required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.

Diet

In nature they feed on insects, small crustaceans and plankton. The food offer consists of small live food, which is accepted without problems also in frozen form, supplemented with frozen special food mixtures. Especially daphnia, artemia and red mosquito larvae must not be missing. In addition, they regularly need some vegetable food, such as pureed leafy and wild vegetables or dry food (flakes, granules) with high vegetable content (spirulina, kelp).

Only feed as much as will be eaten immediately (in 10 minutes or less). A regular and varied diet promotes health and increases resistance.

Behaviour and compatibility

They are peaceful but shy schooling fish that can be socialized well with other small and peaceful fish. Courting males occasionally threaten each other, displaying the most beautiful coloration. At least 5, but preferably more Dwarf Spotted Barbs should be kept together. Basically, only compatible fish species with similar requirements for water conditions and water temperature should be socialized

Sex dimorphism

The males are much smaller, slimmer and more intensely colored than the females.

Reproduction and breeding

They are free spawners that do not engage in brood care. The male usually swims around (drifts) the female in the early morning, which spawns among fine-feathered plants. The larvae hatch after about 24 hours and swim freely after a week.

Fry must be fed several times a day with special rearing food (Artemia nauplii). In community tanks breeding is hardly possible, because the spawn is easy prey.

Important

Populations differ in color, pattern and size according to their origin

The foliage (e.g. sea almond leaves), when rotting, promotes the development of microorganisms, which are a valuable secondary food source

The well-being of the fish should be monitored regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate levels should be checked at least every 14 days. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even when contaminant levels have not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced fish must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium.

Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: petdata; Image: petdata

Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); BAENSCH & RIEHL (2004): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 4, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF