Rosy Barbs...advice From Keepers

[rossyt99]

Just considering adding a few Rosy Barbs to my Community tank, and wondering if anyone has kept these for a lengthy time period???
I Have read they may get boisterous towards smaller fish> the smallest I have are mature Rummy-Noses.

+ Lfs has some 'Cherry Barbs' and 'Odessa Barbs' and may consider them if the Rosy's are not advisable.

Any expertise on small Barbs appreciated.

 

[Colin_T]

It depends on what other fishes you have in the tank and how big the tank is.

Rosy barbs are schooling fish that need to be kept in groups. If they get bored or stressed they will try to increase the size of their group by swimming around with other fish. Often the other fish don't want the rosy barbs anywhere near them so they swim off. The rosy barbs chase after them and it begins.

Rosy barbs should be fine with big tetras, gouramis, rainbowfish, etc. They might nip at fish with long flowing fins like male guppies and male Siamese fighting fish.

 

[Lateral Line]

Rosy Barbs aren't overly aggressive, but they are boistrous and good quality fish will grow to 75+mm, which when considering the group size, (say 6 fish), is a lot of stock. That said, as they are so easy to breed, there are a lot of poor quality fish around that are very inbred and stay smaller.

Odessa's are a smaller "species", (in quotes because their true identity is somewhat controversial still). These also want to be kept in groups. They are pretty harmless when kept in big enough groups. Good quality fish are extremely colourful.

Cherry Barbs are not a naturally shoaling fish, two males together in a small tank may fight. They are best kept as a pair or trio, 1m 2f. They tend to keep themselves to themselves and won't bother other fish.

 

[rossyt99]

Thanks for those replies>>>> I would be adding them to my 180L Communal tank but ideally only three maximum, so the 'Cherry Barbs' will be a good choice it seems. The Females are less colourful, I believe (?)

I have two large Angels, Honey Gourami, Swordtails, Glass-Cats and Rummy-Noses in and don't want to add much more, but thought the red colouration would show off well against my planted background and add a bit more life/variety.

I thought I'd gather as much info. as possible before deciding.

 

[Lateral Line]

Male Cherry Barbs are, with the usual quality rider, much more red then females, bright red in fact. Females are larger, and are a light reddish brown with mor visible markings then the males, i.e. lateral dark stripes. The quality issue in this case is as with most easy to breed fish, the farmed fish are inbred and a pale, (pun intended), reflection on the glories of their wild bretheren.

For a nice red fish that stays small so you can keep a lot, Hyphessobrycon amandae, known as Ember Tetra, is a good fish, and I've seen a lot of them around at the moment, after many years absence. Unfortunately, the Angels you have would probably regard them as live food.

 

[rossyt99]

I saw some 'Metallic Rosy Barbs' in Lfs today and they were really eye-catching (2.50pounds). However I would need to get a shoal for them to be content, right?
So, I think I'll be waiting until my Long-Fin 'LyreTail Swordtails' Fry to grow> and then add the best of them as the Reddy-Orange Adults really stand out against the Green Planting.

Had a check about 'Ember Tetras', but the Angels would probably lap them up!

Thanks again.

 

[Colin_T]

yep all barbs, rosy, metallic rosy, cherry, golden, etc, have to be kept in groups

 

[caravela]

I have 5 rosy barbs in my tank, and I absolutely love them. I've heard people say that they can be aggressive and fin-nippers, but I've never seen mine hassle any other fish (they sometimes have little fights among themselves, but not in a serious way). As well as being very striking looking, they're also brilliant to watch because they're so active and totally fearless. Mine are always rushing to the front of the tank if anyone walks past, and swimming around ostentatiously in the hope of being fed. They also like playing in the stream from the filter powerhead. The only downside I've found with them is that they do eat at soft-leaved plants, which might be a pain depending on your display.

 

[fshchk]

Just considering adding a few Rosy Barbs to my Community tank, and wondering if anyone has kept these for a lengthy time period???
I Have read they may get boisterous towards smaller fish> the smallest I have are mature Rummy-Noses.

+ Lfs has some 'Cherry Barbs' and 'Odessa Barbs' and may consider them if the Rosy's are not advisable.

Any expertise on small Barbs appreciated.

I have had odessa barbs in my community tank and they were too aggresive, although beautiful. I gave them away to a good home. I love checkerboard barbs, good quality cherry barbs, but I'd stay away from odessa barbs if you're worried about aggressive behavior.