Black ruby barb
Pethia nigrofasciata
- Tank length
- 33 cm13 in
- Group
- 6+
- Temperature
- 20–26 °C68–79 °F
- pH
- 6–8
- Adult size
- 5.5 cm2.2 in
- Lifespan
- 4–6 yrs
Males colour up best in a planted tank with a group of six or more and subdued light.Males colour up best in a planted tank with a group of six or more and subdued light.
Tank sizes
Good tankmates
Avoid with
- Irian Jaya rainbowfish
No shared temperature rangeNo shared temperature range
- African knifefish
African knifefish may eat Black ruby barbAfrican knifefish may eat Black ruby barb
- African pike
African pike may eat Black ruby barbAfrican pike may eat Black ruby barb
- Alligator gar
Alligator gar may eat Black ruby barbAlligator gar may eat Black ruby barb
- Altum angelfish
No shared temperature rangeNo shared temperature range
- Antenna ray
Antenna ray may eat Black ruby barbAntenna ray may eat Black ruby barb
- Arapaima
Arapaima may eat Black ruby barbArapaima may eat Black ruby barb
- Asian arowana
Asian arowana may eat Black ruby barbAsian arowana may eat Black ruby barb
- Asian upside-down catfish
Asian upside down catfish may eat Black ruby barbAsian upside down catfish may eat Black ruby barb
- Australian pearl arowana
Australian pearl arowana may eat Black ruby barbAustralian pearl arowana may eat Black ruby barb
- Barred bichir
Barred bichir may eat Black ruby barbBarred bichir may eat Black ruby barb
- Black bullhead
Black bullhead may eat Black ruby barbBlack bullhead may eat Black ruby barb
Data used by the planner
| Temperature | 20–26 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04; agrees with FishBase (fishbase.se), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium confidence |
|---|---|---|
| pH | 6–8 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · low confidence |
| Hardness (dGH) | 5–15 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04; agrees with FishBase (fishbase.se), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium confidence |
| Origin | Kelani and Kalu basins, Sri Lanka | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence |
| Beginner friendly | Yes | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Care level | easy | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Activity | active | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Swimming level | middle | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Temperament | peaceful | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Nips fins | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Long fins | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Territorial | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Lives in groups | Yes | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Minimum group | 6 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Diet | omnivore | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Lifespan (years) | 4–6 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence |
| Months to adult size | 10 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence |
| Safe with plants | Yes | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |