Rosy Barb Pethia Conchonius 4cm
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 Rosy Barb is a hardy, active barb whose males glow metallic pink-red with black-tipped fins, while females are a soft golden olive with a dark spot near the tail. It is native to hill streams and lowland waters of northern India, Nepal, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Cool-tolerant and forgiving, it suits unheated and temperate community tanks and complete beginners.
- Adult Size: Around 8–10 cm (3–4 in); females slightly larger and plumper
- Lifespan: 5–7 years
Origin
- Native to: Northern India, Nepal, Pakistan and Bangladesh
- Habitat: Hill streams, tributaries, lakes and ponds
Feeding
- Diet: Omnivorous, enjoys vegetable matter
- Preferred Foods: Quality flake, granules, bloodworm, daphnia, brine shrimp, blanched greens
- Feeding Habits: Feed twice daily; may nibble soft plants if greens are in short supply
Tank Mates
- Best with: Danios, larger tetras, other peaceful barbs, Corydoras, loaches, White Cloud minnows
- Avoid: Tiny fish, aggressive cichlids, slow long-finned fish
Aggression & Behaviour
- Temperament: Peaceful, active
- Territoriality: Low; males chase during spawning
Experience Level
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Challenges: Needs a cool, spacious tank; bored fish may nip
Water Parameters
- Water Type: Freshwater, moderately hard, neutral to alkaline
- Temperature: 16–24°C (61–75°F)
- pH: 6.0–8.0
- Hardness: 5–20 dGH
- Flow: Moderate
- Tank Size: Minimum 100 litres for a group of six or more
Final Notes
Rosy barbs grow fairly large and swim hard, so give them length and a group of six or more. They prefer unheated or lightly heated water and colour best at cooler temperatures; prolonged tropical warmth shortens their lives. Males are redder and develop head tubercles when spawning; females are gold and rounder. They scatter eggs prolifically among plants and are one of the easiest barbs to breed, making them a rewarding, robust choice.
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.