Red Line Torpedo Denison Barb Puntius Denisonii 5cm
Image for illustration purposes only. Exact colours, patterns, and size may vary between individuals.
Delivered alive, guaranteed
Live fish delivery is £20 per order, delivered Thursday, Friday or Saturday, arriving before 1:00pm on the day you choose at checkout. Packed by aquatic specialists and shipped overnight with a dedicated livestock courier, every fish is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee with automatic refunds. See How Live Fish Delivery Works for full details.
When will my fish arrive?
| Order placed | Delivery day |
|---|---|
| Up to Monday 11:00am | Thursday (that week) |
| Monday after 11:00am – Tuesday 11:00am | Friday (that week) |
| Tuesday after 11:00am – Wednesday 11:00am | Saturday (that week) |
| Wednesday after 11:00am – Sunday (any time) | Thursday (following week) |
Overview
The Red Line Torpedo Barb, or Denison barb, is a sleek silver shoaler with a black lateral line, a scarlet stripe from nose to mid-body and yellow and black tail markings. It comes from fast, oxygen-rich hill streams of the Western Ghats in Kerala and Karnataka, southern India. A striking fish for larger, well-filtered community aquariums and intermediate keepers.
- Adult Size: Around 11–15 cm (4.5–6 in); females slightly larger and heavier-bodied
- Lifespan: 5–8 years
Origin
- Native to: Western Ghats, Kerala and Karnataka, southern India
- Habitat: Fast, clear, highly oxygenated rocky hill streams
Feeding
- Diet: Omnivorous, favours meaty and sinking foods
- Preferred Foods: Sinking granules, quality flake, bloodworm, daphnia, brine shrimp, colour-enhancing pellets
- Feeding Habits: Feed twice daily; carotenoid-rich foods deepen the red stripe
Tank Mates
- Best with: Rainbowfish, larger rasboras and tetras, loaches, peaceful catfish
- Avoid: Slow, long-finned fish, tiny fish, aggressive cichlids
Aggression & Behaviour
- Temperament: Peaceful, very active shoaler
- Territoriality: Minimal; squabbles only in groups under six
Experience Level
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Challenges: Needs mature, pristine, oxygen-rich water and lots of swimming room
Water Parameters
- Water Type: Freshwater, moderately soft to hard, neutral
- Temperature: 15–25°C (59–77°F)
- pH: 6.5–7.8
- Hardness: 5–25 dGH
- Flow: Moderate to strong
- Tank Size: Minimum 250 litres for a group of six or more; 120 cm long tank
Final Notes
A fast-growing fish that becomes large and powerful, so plan a long tank and a group of at least six from the start. Cooler than average temperatures suit it; warm, stagnant water stresses it quickly. Females are larger and paler than males, and breeding needs hormone treatment, so all stock is farm-bred. The species is endangered in the wild, so farm-bred fish matter. Fit a tight lid, as they jump, and enjoy a true showpiece.
Please Note
The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Birchwood Aquatic Centre shop. Species sold at the Birchwood Aquatic Centre physical store may differ from ones available to order to your door.
Frequently Asked Questions
In insulated boxes designed for live transport, packed by aquatic specialists,
overnight with a licensed live-animal courier, arriving before 1pm.
It is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee.
Photograph it within 4 hours of delivery, email info@birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk with your order number, and the refund is processed automatically. The cover continues for 7 days after arrival.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You pick your day at checkout; please choose a day someone is home.
Yes. One basket, one checkout; the fish arrive with the specialist courier and the rest of your order ships as normal.
We can deliver to UK mainland only for live fish.
Follow the five-minute acclimatisation steps in our When Your Fish Arrive guide: float the bags, add tank water gradually, net the fish in, lights low, feed tomorrow.