Easy
Cherry Barb (Barbus Capoeta titteya)
23–27°C · pH 6–8 · 60L
From £2.57Some sizes on sale
Golden Barb (Barbodes semifasciolatus) is a hardy, active shoaling barb for peaceful community aquariums with open swimming space and plant cover.
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. Photos are AI-enhanced, so the animal may show subtle colour or marking differences.
Barbodes semifasciolatus
Golden Barb are a shoaling species — they need 6+ to feel safe and show their full colour.
Golden Barb (Barbodes semifasciolatus) is a hardy, active shoaling barb for peaceful community aquariums with open swimming space and plant cover.
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. Photos are AI-enhanced, so the animal may show subtle colour or marking differences.
Maintain these water conditions for optimal health and vibrant colors
Golden Barb (Barbodes semifasciolatus) is a bright, active shoaling barb for peaceful community aquariums. The golden aquarium strain has been traded under older names such as Barbus schuberti and Puntius semifasciolatus, but the care target is the same: a hardy, social cyprinid that looks best in a proper group with room to swim.
| Scientific name | Barbodes semifasciolatus |
|---|---|
| Common names | Golden Barb, Gold Barb, Chinese Barb, Schuberti Barb |
| Adult size | Usually around 6-7 cm |
| Minimum aquarium | 80 litres or larger for a group; longer tanks are better |
| Temperature | 18-24°C for long-term care |
| pH | 6.0-8.0 |
| Temperament | Peaceful, active shoaling fish |
| Diet | Omnivore: flakes, small pellets, frozen foods and vegetable matter |
Golden Barbs are not solitary display fish. Keep at least six, and choose a larger group if the aquarium has enough space. In a proper shoal, their movement looks more natural, stress is lower and any brief chasing is spread through the group rather than focused on one weaker fish. A small group in a cramped tank can become restless and more likely to irritate slow tank mates.
| Group plan | Result |
|---|---|
| Single fish or pair | More stress, duller behaviour and possible pestering |
| Six or more | Better confidence, colour and social behaviour |
| Large shoal in a longer tank | Best display of constant movement and gold colour |
Golden Barbs appreciate clean, well-oxygenated water, open swimming space and planted edges where the group can retreat when startled. They tolerate a wider range of temperatures than many tropical fish and are often kept a little cooler than warm-water community species. Avoid keeping them too warm long term if you want steady condition and lifespan.
| Setup element | Practical target |
|---|---|
| Swimming space | Open middle area with room for the shoal to move |
| Cover | Plants, wood or shaded edges for security |
| Flow | Gentle to moderate movement and good oxygenation |
| Temperature | Cooler tropical range around 18-24°C |
Golden Barbs are easy omnivores. Use a quality flake or small pellet as the staple, then rotate daphnia, brine shrimp, mosquito larvae-style foods, bloodworm and vegetable-based foods. Including some plant matter helps keep the diet balanced and can encourage more natural browsing behaviour.
Good companions include other peaceful barbs, danios, rasboras, Corydoras, loaches and peaceful livebearers that enjoy similar water. Avoid very slow long-finned fish in cramped aquariums, and avoid aggressive cichlids that will intimidate the shoal. Golden Barbs are usually community-friendly when kept in a proper group and given enough space.
| Better companions | Avoid |
|---|---|
| Cherry Barbs, Rosy Barbs and similar active cyprinids | Slow fancy long-finned fish in small tanks |
| Corydoras and suitable loaches | Aggressive cichlids or predators |
| Peaceful livebearers in compatible water | Tiny fry or delicate nano fish |
Golden Barbs are egg scatterers. They may spawn among fine plants or spawning mops, but adults do not guard the eggs. If you want to raise fry, use a separate breeding setup and remove adults after spawning. In a display aquarium, most eggs and fry are likely to be eaten, which is normal for this type of barb.
This product can include multiple size or pack options depending on supplier stock, so check the selected variant before checkout. Livestock is packed carefully and sent by licensed live-animal courier where live-animal shipping applies. Follow the receiving and acclimation instructions to keep the Live Arrival Guarantee valid. New customers can use WELCOME10 when the order is eligible.
| Before ordering | Check |
|---|---|
| Group size | Plan for six or more whenever possible |
| Tank length | Enough open swimming room for an active shoal |
| Temperature match | Avoid very warm community setups long term |
| Tank mates | Choose active, peaceful fish with similar needs |
Compare this active shoaling fish with Cherry Barb, Black Ruby Barb, Rosy Barb, Denison Barb and Albino Cherry Barb.
| How many Golden Barbs should I keep? | Keep at least six. A larger shoal looks better and helps the fish behave more naturally. |
|---|---|
| Are Golden Barbs beginner friendly? | Yes, they are hardy and adaptable when kept in a mature aquarium with clean, stable water. |
| Do Golden Barbs nip fins? | They are usually peaceful, but tiny groups or cramped tanks can make active barbs more irritating to slow long-finned fish. |
| What temperature is best? | A cooler tropical range around 18-24°C is usually a better long-term fit than very warm water. |
| Are Golden Barbs good for planted tanks? | Yes. Use planted edges and open swimming space so the shoal has both cover and room to move. |
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