Black Ruby Barb

The Black Ruby Barb is a striking freshwater barb known for its dramatic color transformation as it matures. Juveniles display a pale yellow to tan body with dark vertical bands, but adult males develop a deep ruby-red head and rich dark body coloration that intensifies during breeding displays. When kept in groups, these fish create beautiful flashes of red and dark contrast as they move through the aquarium.

This species is easy to moderately easy to keep, making it suitable for beginner and intermediate aquarists. They are active schooling fish that thrive in planted aquariums with good water quality and plenty of swimming space.

Care Requirements:

• Tank Size: 30 gallons minimum

• Temperature: 22–27 °C

• pH: 6.0–7.5

• Water Hardness: Soft to moderately hard

• Temperament: Peaceful to semi-active schooling fish

• Diet: Omnivore — flakes, pellets, frozen foods, and occasional live foods

Behavior & Compatibility:

Black Ruby Barbs are social fish and should be kept in groups of 6 or more. In larger schools they become more confident and display their best coloration while reducing any mild fin-nipping tendencies.

They are well suited for peaceful community aquariums with similarly active species such as:

• Rasboras

• Danios

• Other barbs

• Corydoras

• Peaceful gouramis

Avoid housing them with very slow-moving or long-finned fish if the group size is too small.

Tank Setup:

They appreciate well-planted aquariums with driftwood, shaded areas, and open swimming space. Slightly dim lighting and darker substrates often help bring out their deeper red and ruby coloration.

A beautiful schooling barb with rich ruby coloration that intensifies with age—an excellent addition to lively planted community aquariums.