Golden Dwarf Barb

 Genus name: Barbus Gelius

Distribution:  India, Bengal and Assam

Length: up to 1.6" (4cm)

Minimum Tank Length:  18" (45cm)

Water Temperature: 68-72F (20-22C)

Diet: small crustaceans and insects, dried food

Water: not critical

Breeding:  Egg Layer

Community Tank

The Golden Dwarf Barb is an excellent Barb for a beginner, or for anyone who does not have the space for a large aquarium.

In the wild this tiny but hardy Barb lives in standing and slow-flowing waters.  The Golden Dwarf Barb is one of the most undemanding aquarium fishes, and can even be kept in water temperatures as low as 61-64F (16 to 18C).  However, if you want to encourage the Golden Dwarf Barbs to breed, the temperature should be closer, but should not exceed 72F (22C).

The Golden Dwarf Barb is somewhat transparent, and the female is stouter than the male and has no barbels.  The backs of both sexes of the Golden Dwarf Barbs are olive-green to brownish, and the underparts are white with a silvery sheen.  The flanks of the Golden Dwarf Barb are iridescent gold with irregular dark blotches.  In addition they also have a reddish gold longitudinal stripe that extends back to the caudal peduncle, where it widens into a shiny coppery marking.  The Golden Dwarf Barb's eyes are pale green.

Golden Dwarf Barbs will breed in aquariums, and when they do the eggs are laid amongst the plants, to which they adhere.  In about 24 hours the eggs will hatch, and the tiny fry live on the contents of their yolk sac for the next few days, and then become free swimming.

The adult Golden Dwarf Barbs do not eat their own eggs, but it is still advisable to remove them from the aquarium as they do not offer any parental care.