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A fiery contrast of deep black and glowing ruby-red, the Black Ruby Barb (Pethia nigrofasciata) is one of the most striking barbs available for freshwater aquariums. Males display their best colour when mature and in breeding condition, showing a velvety black body with shimmering ruby hues, while females remain more subdued with silver and faint striping. Active, hardy, and lively, these barbs make excellent community fish when kept in proper groups.
Species: Pethia nigrofasciata
Common Names: Black Ruby Barb, Purplehead Barb, Ruby Barb
Origin: Sri Lanka – found in shaded, slow-moving forest streams and rivers
Light Requirements: Moderate – subdued lighting helps deepen colouration
Diet: Omnivorous – thrives on high-quality flakes, small pellets, bloodworms, brine shrimp, and spirulina-based foods
Maximum Size: 5–6 cm
Temperament: Peaceful, shoaling – may fin-nip if not kept in groups
Care Level: Easy
Aquarium Setup:
Best kept in aquariums of 80 litres or larger with groups of 6 or more. Their natural habitat is shaded and tannin-rich, so tanks with driftwood, leaf litter, and dense planting mimic their environment and encourage natural behaviour. Provide open swimming areas as well as sheltered spots. Subdued or dimmed lighting enhances the male’s ruby-red glow.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 22–27°C
pH: 6.0–7.5
Hardness: Soft to moderately hard (4–15 dGH)
Growth and Maintenance:
Hardy and adaptable, Black Ruby Barbs are easy to care for and suitable for beginners. They thrive in slightly acidic, well-filtered water and are particularly vibrant when fed a varied diet. To avoid fin-nipping behaviour, keep them in good-sized shoals.
Care Tips:
✔ Keep in groups of 6 or more to reduce aggression
✔ Provide tannin-rich water for natural comfort
✔ Feed a mixed diet with both plant and protein sources
✔ Avoid housing with slow-moving long-finned fish
✔ Use dark substrate and lighting to intensify colours
Compatibility:
Excellent for peaceful community aquariums. Ideal tankmates include rasboras, tetras, danios, loaches, gouramis, and Corydoras. Avoid pairing with delicate long-finned fish like bettas and angelfish.
Availability:
Commonly available across Australia in the aquarium trade, usually as juveniles that develop their rich ruby tones as they mature.