Melon Barb
Haludaria fasciata
Cyprinidae
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About
The melon barb is a 7 cm cyprinid endemic to the west-flowing rivers of the Western Ghats, in Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, and one of the best community barbs almost nobody asks for by name. A conditioned male flushes melon-pink to deep red over gold, cut by three or four black bars — the pattern that earned it the trade name 'panda barb', which European shops print on the shelf label as 'Barbus panda'. Females run larger, deeper-bodied and plainer, with far less colour in the dorsal fin. Where the trade gets it wrong is the family resemblance: it is a barb, so it is assumed to be a nipper, and it is not. Seriously Fish calls it 'generally very peaceful, making it an ideal resident of the well-researched community aquarium'. The one honest caveat is speed — it is a brisk, confident feeder that will out-eat slow or timid tankmates, which is a stocking problem rather than an aggression problem.
Care
Keep 8-10 in a tank from 80 litres with a 90 x 30 cm base and real swimming length. Water 22-26 °C, pH 6-7.5, soft to moderately hard; no special chemistry needed. Peaceful and undemanding, but quick at feeding time — house it with fish that can hold their own rather than with slow, shy nano species. Males colour up by competing with each other, so buying enough of them is what makes the display worth having.
Diet
Omnivore that grazes diatoms, algae and detritus as well as insects and small crustaceans. Flake with plant content as the base, plus frozen or live bloodworm and Daphnia, and occasional vegetable food.
Tankmate compatibility
Gets along with (227)
Possible with care (136)
Avoid (55)
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.
Also in these lists
Similar species
Same category and the closest water parameters — if this species isn't quite it, start here.
Sold in Lithuania
These Lithuanian shops listed this species in their public catalogue (checked August 8, 2026). Stock moves — ask before you travel.
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Frequently asked questions
- What tank size does a Melon Barb need?
- A Melon Barb needs an aquarium of at least 80 litres (21.1 US gallons) with a footprint at least 90 cm (35.4 in) long — for this species, swimming length matters as much as raw volume.
- What water parameters does a Melon Barb need?
- Melon Barb does best at 22–26 °C (71.6–78.8 °F), pH 6–7.5 and a general hardness of 2–12 °dGH.
- What group size does a Melon Barb need?
- Melon Barb is a social species — keep a group of at least 8 so natural behaviour emerges and stress stays low.
- Is the Melon Barb suitable for beginners?
- Yes — Melon Barb is one of the easier species to keep and forgives typical first-tank mistakes, as long as the aquarium is cycled and maintained.