🐟 Ruby Barb Pethia nigrofasciata

The Ruby Barb (Pethia nigrofasciata) is a easy-care, peaceful species from Sri Lanka. Adults reach roughly 2.5", so plan on a minimum tank of 30 gallons. Keep the water between 72–79°F with a pH of 6–7. This is a schooling fish — keep a group of at least 6 so it feels secure and colors up. As an omnivore, it does best on a varied diet appropriate to its feeding style.

At a glance

Good tankmates for Ruby Barb

Neon TetraCardinal TetraRummynose TetraBlack Skirt TetraSerpae TetraGuppyEndler's LivebearerPlatySwordtailGerman Blue RamBolivian RamApistogrammaKribensisZebra DanioHarlequin RasboraCherry BarbTiger BarbRosy BarbWhite Cloud MinnowDwarf GouramiPearl GouramiThree-Spot GouramiBronze CoryPanda CoryOtocinclusBristlenose PlecoKuhli LoachAmano ShrimpMystery SnailMarble HatchetfishBlack Neon TetraLemon TetraGlowlight TetraCongo TetraBloodfin TetraDiamond TetraBuenos Aires TetraEmperor TetraSilver Tip TetraX-Ray TetraLambchop RasboraScissortail RasboraPearl DanioGiant DanioGlowlight DanioGold BarbOdessa BarbDenison BarbCheckerboard BarbFive-Banded BarbBoesemani RainbowfishNeon Dwarf RainbowfishMadagascar RainbowfishThreadfin RainbowfishCelebes RainbowfishHoney GouramiSparkling GouramiMoonlight GouramiChocolate GouramiKeyhole CichlidFiremouth CichlidElectric Blue AcaraRainbow CichlidPygmy CorySterbai CoryJulii CoryGlass CatfishUpside-Down CatfishYoyo LoachZebra LoachHillstream LoachRubber Lip PlecoClown PlecoSiamese Algae EaterRainbow SharkFlying FoxLeast KillifishRosy Red MinnowGhost ShrimpBamboo ShrimpGold TetraPenguin TetraRed Eye TetraFlame TetraBleeding Heart TetraColombian TetraSilver DollarEmerald Eye RasboraLeopard DanioGold Ring DanioMelon BarbTurquoise RainbowfishForktail Blue-eyeRed RainbowfishLicorice GouramiCroaking GouramiThick-Lipped GouramiPeaceful BettaStrawberry BettaGolden RamFlag AcaraFestivum CichlidYellow Dwarf CichlidAgassiz's Dwarf CichlidHongsloi CichlidCheckerboard CichlidEmerald CoryAlbino CoryThree-Striped CoryAdolfo's CoryHabrosus CoryZebra OtoDwarf Chain LoachLeopard Frog Pleco (L134)Zebra Pleco (L046)Vampire ShrimpLyretail KillifishClown KillifishRed SwordtailHigh-Fin PlatyAmerican FlagfishIndian Glassfish

Avoid these tankmates

AngelfishDiscusConvict CichlidOscarPictus CatfishJack DempseyGreen TerrorTexas CichlidAuratus CichlidFrontosaChinese Algae EaterRed Tail SharkBlack Ghost KnifefishRopefishSenegal BichirBucktooth TetraBanjar Red CichlidSalvini CichlidMidas CichlidFlowerhornRed Zebra CichlidVenustus CichlidLivingstonii CichlidCompressed CichlidCalvus CichlidTropheus Duboisi

See the full tankmate guide for Ruby Barb →