How many Ruby Barbs should I keep together?

Keep at least six Ruby Barbs together. A proper shoal spreads activity through the group, improves colour and reduces the chance of one fish bothering tank mates.

Are Black Ruby Barbs suitable for community aquariums?

Yes, they can work well with robust peaceful fish that enjoy similar water. Avoid slow long-finned tank mates if the aquarium is small or the barb group is understocked.

What size tank does a Ruby Barb need?

Plan on at least 80 litres for a small group, with a longer tank preferred. Extra swimming space and planting make the group calmer and easier to display.

What should I feed Black Ruby Barbs?

Use quality flake or small pellets as the staple, then rotate small frozen foods and vegetable-based foods. A varied omnivore diet supports colour and condition.

What water conditions suit Ruby Barbs?

Aim for stable mature water around 20-26°C and pH 6.0-7.5. They are adaptable, but sudden swings in temperature or water quality should be avoided.

Black Ruby Barb (Pethia nigrofasciata) in a planted aquarium with wood cover — representative image

Black Ruby Barb is an active Sri Lankan shoaling barb for planted community aquariums. Keep a group of six or more for the best colour and behaviour.

BarbsCommunity Fishdeal-run-20260422-180310Easy CareFreshwater FishShoaling FishSri Lankan BarbTropical Fish

Care at a Glance

Scientific Name

Pethia nigrofasciata

Max Adult Size

up to 6 cm

Lifespan

5 years

Care Level

Easy

Temperament

Active, generally peaceful in a group

Temperature

20–26°C

pH Range

6–7.5

Hardness

2–20 dGH

Minimum Tank

80L

Diet

Omnivore - flakes, small pellets, frozen foods and vegetable matter

Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Product-photo provenance and any image-specific limitations are stated on the listing.

Pethia nigrofasciata

Black Ruby Barb (Pethia nigrofasciata)

Name: Black Ruby Barb (Pethia nigrofasciata)
Brand: Tropical Fish Co
SKU: 4015
Availability: InStock

Beginner Friendly

Peaceful

−15% Special OfferLimited stock offer

£2.54£2.99You save £0.45

Size: 3 - 3,5 cm

Shoal Pricing

— save up to 30%

Black Ruby Barb are a shoaling species — they need 6+ to feel safe and show their full colour.

Your shoal

£20.30You save £5.10

Live arrival guaranteed. Full refund or replacement if they don’t arrive healthy. Packed in oxygenated bags with insulation and heat packs when needed.

£19.95 tracked delivery — half price (£9.98) from £100.00, free from £200.00. One delivery charge however many fish you add — everything travels together with a licensed live-animal courier.

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Black Ruby Barb is an active Sri Lankan shoaling barb for planted community aquariums. Keep a group of six or more for the best colour and behaviour.

BarbsCommunity Fishdeal-run-20260422-180310Easy CareFreshwater FishShoaling FishSri Lankan BarbTropical Fish

Care at a Glance

Scientific Name

Pethia nigrofasciata

Max Adult Size

up to 6 cm

Lifespan

5 years

Care Level

Easy

Temperament

Active, generally peaceful in a group

Temperature

20–26°C

pH Range

6–7.5

Hardness

2–20 dGH

Minimum Tank

80L

Diet

Omnivore - flakes, small pellets, frozen foods and vegetable matter

Water Parameters

Maintain these water conditions for optimal health and vibrant colors

Temperature

20–26°C

20°CIdeal26°C

pH Level

6–7.5

6Ideal7.5

Water Hardness

2–20 dGH

2 dGHIdeal20 dGH

Black Ruby Barb (Pethia nigrofasciata), often sold simply as Ruby Barb, is a lively Sri Lankan barb for planted community aquariums. Mature males develop deep ruby-black colour when settled, while females are usually softer silver-gold with dark banding. Keep them as a proper group so their energy stays within the shoal rather than being directed at tank mates.

Quick facts

Scientific name	Pethia nigrofasciata
Common names	Black Ruby Barb, Ruby Barb
Adult size	5-6 cm
Minimum aquarium	80 litres for a group, with more space preferred
Temperature	20-26°C
pH	6.0-7.5
Temperament	Active, generally peaceful when kept in a group
Diet	Quality flakes, small pellets, frozen foods and vegetable matter

Care and setup

Use a mature aquarium with open swimming space, plants around the sides and back, and gentle cover from wood or floating plants. A group of six or more is strongly recommended. In too small a group, Ruby Barbs can become pushy; in a settled shoal they are much easier to manage and show better colour.

They suit robust peaceful tank mates that enjoy similar water, including many barbs, danios, rasboras, loaches and medium community fish. Avoid slow long-finned fish if the group is small or the tank is cramped.

Feeding

Offer a varied omnivore diet. Use quality flake or micro pellets as the staple, then rotate small frozen foods such as daphnia, brine shrimp or bloodworm, plus occasional vegetable-based foods. Several small feeds keep the group active without polluting the water.

Arrival and guarantee

Livestock is packed carefully for UK dispatch by licensed live-animal courier where live-animal shipping applies. First-time eligible customers can use at checkout, and livestock orders are covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee when the arrival steps are followed.