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Blue Crown Aqua

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Gold Dwarf Barb

Gold Dwarf Barb

$3.95 USD
$3.95 USD
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The Golden Dwarf Barb (Pethia gelius) is a peaceful, hardy nano fish prized for its shimmering golden body and petite size, typically topping out at just 1 to 1.5 inches. Unlike some of its boisterous relatives, this "true dwarf" species is calm and social, making it an excellent addition to planted community tanks and even shrimp setups. 
Key Characteristics & Behavior
  • Appearance: They feature a radiant golden or pale yellow hue with semi-transparent fins and distinctive black markings or faded striping along the body.
  • Social Nature: These are schooling fish that must be kept in groups of at least 6, though larger groups of 10+ help them feel secure and showcase better coloration. 
  • Activity Level: They primarily occupy the middle and bottom water levels but are active foragers that will explore the entire tank. 
  • Temperament: Extremely peaceful and non-aggressive; however, they can be skittish and require plenty of hiding places to feel safe. 
Habitat & Care Requirements
Originating from the rivers and floodplains of South Asia (India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh), they thrive in stable, well-maintained environments. 
  • Tank Size: A minimum of 10 to 20 gallons is recommended to accommodate a proper school. 
  • Water Conditions:
    • Temperature: 68–77°F (20–25°C); they tolerate cooler "temperate" water better than many tropical fish.
    • pH: 6.0 – 7.5 (prefers slightly acidic to neutral).
    • Hardness: 5–15 dGH (soft to moderately hard). 
  • Diet: Omnivorous micropredators. They readily accept high-quality flakes and micro-pellets but benefit greatly from small live or frozen foods like Daphnia, baby brine shrimp, and Cyclops. 
Ideal Tank Mates
Because of their small size and shy nature, they should only be housed with other peaceful, non-aggressive species: 
  • Fish: Small rasboras, danios, sparkling gouramis, and dwarf corydoras.
  • Invertebrates: Generally safe with adult dwarf shrimp and snails, though they may snack on very tiny shrimp fry.
  • Avoid: Large, boisterous, or aggressive fish that could easily intimidate or prey upon them. 
Breeding Notes
Golden Dwarf Barbs are egg scatterers that do not guard their young. In a separate breeding tank with fine-leaved plants (like Java Moss), they will deposit adhesive eggs. To ensure fry survival, adults should be removed immediately after spawning, as they are known to eat their own eggs. 
Are you looking to buy a school for your tank, or do you need help diagnosing a health issue with your current barbs?

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