Rosy Barb Gold (Barbus Puntius conchonius gold)

Dress the rosy barb in metallic gold and you get this fish: the gold colour form of Barbus (Puntius) conchonius, carrying the easy-going hardiness the species is valued for under a brighter finish. Care is rated as easy, and the care requirements reflect that — a forgiving hardness range, a sensible tank size, and a temperature band that sits towards the cooler end of tropical keeping.

Numbers first: adults reach about 6.5 cm, lifespan runs to roughly five years, and the minimum aquarium is 100 litres. Temperature is the notable line — 20 to 24 °C, cooler than most tropical community fish will accept — with pH from 6.5 to 7.8 and hardness between 5 and 15 dGH. As an omnivore it takes a broad menu without complaint, and it spends its time in the middle region of the tank, exactly where a gold body catches the most light.

Temperament is described as semi-aggressive, and it can turn territorial when breeding. In practice that simply steers your stocking choices — this barb belongs among active, similarly sized companions that match its pace and shrug off its energy. A practical note on that cooler band as well: at 20–24 °C it sits below the set-point many tropical communities actually run at, so check your existing tank's true temperature before ordering rather than assuming the fit. Where it does fit, it is an exceptionally easy fish to keep well fed, active and visible.

Gold rosy barb care basics

• Easy care; around 6.5 cm adult size; lives about 5 years
• 100-litre minimum aquarium
• 20–24 °C — cooler than typical tropical setups; pH 6.5–7.8; 5–15 dGH
• Omnivore with an unfussy appetite; middle-region swimmer
• Semi-aggressive; territorial when breeding

Choosing its tankmates

Danios, rasboras, rainbowfish, Corydoras and loaches all suit it, along with other active community fish of similar size. Skip slow-moving tankmates, long-finned fish such as bettas and fancy guppies, very small fish or fry, shrimp and tiny invertebrates, highly aggressive species and overly timid ones. Orders travel with a licensed live-animal courier and are covered by our live arrival guarantee throughout.