Denison Barb
Sahyadria denisonii
Cyprinidae
About
The Denison barb comes from fast-flowing, oxygen-rich hill streams of India's Western Ghats, where it gathers in rocky pools. Its silvery torpedo-shaped body carries a jet-black lateral band topped by a scarlet stripe running from the snout through the eye, with black-and-yellow banded tail lobes. A restless, fast-cruising shoaler, it is calm and confident only in groups. The species is listed as Endangered in the wild, so choose captive-bred stock.
Care
Needs a long tank (120 cm footprint, roughly 240 L or more), strong current, high oxygenation, cool spotless water at 15-25 degrees C, a tight-fitting lid against jumping, and a shoal of at least 6.
Diet
Omnivore: sinking dried foods plus frozen or live bloodworm, Artemia and Daphnia with occasional blanched vegetables; carotenoid-rich foods deepen the red colouration.
Tankmate compatibility
Gets along with (41)
Possible with care (178)
Avoid (52)
Computed by the AquaSage engine for a spacious reference tank — always check the full verdict for your exact setup in the calculator.
Telling males from females
What works for this species, most reliable first.
- Colour and patternA hint only · from about 6 months, and only on a settled fish
In rainbowfish, killifish and several barbs the male carries the colour — deeper and more saturated, intensifying further when he displays.
- Extended finsA hint only · from about 8 months, and later in a suppressed male
On many cichlids and killifish the male's dorsal and anal fins draw out into trailing points as he matures, while the female's stay rounded.
- Belly depthA hint only · only on well-fed adults, and only as a comparison
For most tetras, barbs and rasboras this is all there is: a conditioned female is deeper through the belly than a male of the same length.
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Frequently asked questions
- What tank size does a Denison Barb need?
- A Denison Barb needs an aquarium of at least 240 litres (63.4 US gallons) with a footprint at least 120 cm (47.2 in) long — for this species, swimming length matters as much as raw volume.
- What water parameters does a Denison Barb need?
- Denison Barb does best at 15–25 °C (59–77 °F), pH 6.5–7.8 and a general hardness of 5–25 °dGH.
- What group size does a Denison Barb need?
- Denison Barb is a social species — keep a group of at least 6 so natural behaviour emerges and stress stays low.
- Is the Denison Barb suitable for beginners?
- Yes — Denison Barb is one of the easier species to keep and forgives typical first-tank mistakes, as long as the aquarium is cycled and maintained.