−14%
Rosy Barb (Barbus Puntius conchonius)
16–24°C · pH 6–8 · 90L
£2.57£2.99
The Half-Banded Barb (Barbodes semifasciolatus) is a hardy subtropical shoaling barb of about 7 cm, natural form, golden to olive-gold with faint dark bars. Sold as one fish per quantity; keep six or more in a 100-litre-plus aquarium at 18–24°C.
BarbsCommunity FishFishFreshwaterlisting-audit-2026-10-02Moderate CarePeacefulShoaling Fish
Care at a Glance
Scientific Name
Barbodes semifasciolatus
Max Adult Size
up to 7 cm
Care Level
Easy
Temperament
Active, peaceful shoaling barb
Temperature
18–24°C
pH Range
6–8
Hardness
2–20 dGH
Minimum Tank
100L
Diet
Omnivore: flake or small pellets with small frozen foods
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 above for the actual shipping size. Product-photo provenance and any image-specific limitations are stated on the listing.
Water Parameters
Temperature
18–24°C
18°CIdeal24°C
pH Level
6–8
6Ideal8
Water Hardness
2–20 dGH
2 dGHIdeal20 dGH
Barbodes semifasciolatus
Half-Banded Barb (Barbodes semifasciolatus)
Beginner Friendly
Peaceful
£4.99Sold Out
Shoal Pricing
— save up to 30%Shoaling fish: kept in a group they feel safer, stay calmer and show their best colour.
Your shoal
£40.00You save £9.90
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Live arrival guaranteed. If they don’t arrive healthy, email us a short unboxing video the same day for a replacement or refund. 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.
Read our reviews on Google (opens Google Business Profile in a new tab) or see verified buyer reviews and photos. Human support, careful packing and clear delivery updates for live aquatics.
The Half-Banded Barb (Barbodes semifasciolatus) is a hardy subtropical shoaling barb of about 7 cm, natural form, golden to olive-gold with faint dark bars. Sold as one fish per quantity; keep six or more in a 100-litre-plus aquarium at 18–24°C.
BarbsCommunity FishFishFreshwaterlisting-audit-2026-10-02Moderate CarePeacefulShoaling Fish
Care at a Glance
Scientific Name
Barbodes semifasciolatus
Max Adult Size
up to 7 cm
Care Level
Easy
Temperament
Active, peaceful shoaling barb
Temperature
18–24°C
pH Range
6–8
Hardness
2–20 dGH
Minimum Tank
100L
Diet
Omnivore: flake or small pellets with small frozen foods
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 above for the actual shipping size. Product-photo provenance and any image-specific limitations are stated on the listing.
Water Parameters
Maintain these water conditions for optimal health and vibrant colors
Temperature
18–24°C
18°CIdeal24°C
pH Level
6–8
6Ideal8
Water Hardness
2–20 dGH
2 dGHIdeal20 dGH
A hardy, natural-form barb for a lively community shoal
The half-banded or Chinese barb (Barbodes semifasciolatus) is a hardy shoaling barb from southern China and northern Vietnam. This listing is the natural form: a golden to olive-gold body with faint, short dark bars and speckles along the flanks, and reddish fins in mature males. FishBase gives a maximum length of about 7.6 cm.
The gold barb and the neon golden barb, aquarium colour forms with bold black markings, are sold as separate listings.
| Scientific name | Barbodes semifasciolatus (natural form) |
|---|---|
| Family | Cyprinidae |
| Origin | Southern China and northern Vietnam |
| Adult size | About 7 cm |
| Temperature | 18–24°C |
| pH | 6.0–8.0 |
| Hardness | 2–20 dGH |
| Aquarium | About 100 litres or more for a group |
| Sold as | One fish per quantity, in the size selected |
What you receive
Choose 3.5–4 cm or over 4.5 cm, then the quantity. One quantity is one live fish; order six or more to start a shoal.
Aquarium and water
An active shoaling fish: keep a group of six or more in a mature aquarium of about 100 litres or more, with open swimming space, planted edges and good filtration. It is subtropical and does well a little cooler than many tropical fish: 18–24°C, pH 6.0–8.0 and 2–20 dGH, within the range in Seriously Fish.
Feeding
An omnivore that accepts most foods: feed a quality flake or small pellet with vegetable content daily, plus small frozen or live foods such as bloodworm, Daphnia and brine shrimp a few times a week.
Tank mates and behaviour
Peaceful for a barb and best in a group, which keeps any fin-nipping low. Good with other active fish of similar size, such as danios, rasboras, peaceful barbs, platies and Corydoras. Avoid slow fish with long trailing fins.
Follow the arrival sequence before releasing the fish
Tropical Fish Co’s delivery and Live Arrival Guarantee policy explains the packing and arrival procedure. Livestock is hand-bagged in pure oxygen and placed in an insulated poly box, with a heat pack when the weather calls for it. Someone must be at the address to receive the parcel because live animals cannot be left unattended.
- Receive the parcel in person and start filming before opening it. Show the parcel still sealed with the outer box visible.
- Open the parcel in one continuous take. Keep filming until the fish can be seen inside the sealed bag before anything is disturbed.
- Float the bag for 20–30 minutes so the temperature equalises slowly.
- Do not pour the bag water into the aquarium. Release the fish without adding transport water to the established system.
If a Live Arrival Guarantee claim is required, contact us on the same day with the order number and the continuous unboxing video. Before the parcel arrives, confirm that ammonia and nitrite read zero and that the aquarium matches the water values on this page.
Frequently asked questions
Is this the gold barb?
No. This listing is the natural form: golden to olive-gold with faint dark bars and speckles. The gold barb and the neon golden barb, with bold black markings, are separate listings.
How many should I keep?
A group of six or more; one quantity is one fish.
How big does it grow?
About 7 cm.
What temperature does it need?
It is subtropical: 18–24°C suits it well.
Public references
- FishBase: Barbodes semifasciolatus — identity, native range and size.
- Seriously Fish: Barbodes semifasciolatus — water conditions, aquarium size and behaviour.
- OATA: How to look after barbs — shoaling, water quality and feeding guidance.
- RSPCA aquarium environment guidance — biological filtration and the aquarium nitrogen cycle.
Customer Reviews
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What customers say about ordering from us
- 4 out of 5Verified buyer
I have a small group of long finned mountain minnows. So was delighted to be able to order ten of this variety to increase the genetics in my tank . The ones I recieved are healthy but it’s to early to give a verdict on wether they are of a long finned type since they are small currently.
Gordon Walker · 23 Sept 2026
- 5 out of 5Verified buyer
100% success travel and "installation". Pleased with quality of purchase. The Siamese fighter a bit "shy" so have not yet seen him at his best yet but looking good. Happy customer. GG
George E Garratt · 21 Sept 2026
Reviews of our shop, collected by Judge.me, an independent third-party review collector. Newest first.