{"product_id":"mascara-barb-dawkinsia-assimilis","title":"Mascara Barb - Dawkinsia Assimilis","description":"\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMascara Barb | A Striking and Active Schooling Fish From the Western Ghats of India\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe Mascara Barb (Dawkinsia assimilis) is one of the most visually impressive and underappreciated barbs in the freshwater aquarium hobby. Native to the fast-flowing, well-oxygenated rivers and streams of the Western Ghats in southwestern India — including the Chalakudy, Kallada, and Netravati River basins — this large, torpedo-shaped barb is a genuinely stunning fish that commands attention in any spacious community aquarium. Its metallic silver body is accented with a bold dark lateral stripe, warm orange-silver and rose tones, and the distinctive black marking behind the eye that gives this species its evocative common name.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003eBreeding males are in a class of their own — developing vivid red-orange accents on the dorsal and caudal fins, extended filament-like fin rays, and small tubercles on the head that signal peak condition. In a large school under good lighting, the Mascara Barb is nothing short of spectacular.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMascara Barb Care Guide\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare at a Glance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\" class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3 print:block print:space-y-1\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eScientific name: Dawkinsia assimilis\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eAlso known as: Mascara Barb, Mascara Torpedo Barb, Blackline Barb, Redfin Mascara Barb\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eOrigin: Western Ghats, southwestern India\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eAdult size: 4–5 inches (10–13 cm)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eMinimum tank size: 55 gallons (200 litres) — longer tanks strongly preferred; minimum 47 inches (120 cm) frontage recommended\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eTemperature: 72–79°F (22–26°C) — a cooler water species that prefers the lower end of the tropical range\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003epH: 6.5–7.5\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eHardness: 5–15 dGH — soft to moderately hard water\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eStrong filtration and high oxygenation essential\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eBest kept in groups of 8 or more\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eLifespan: 5–8 years with good care\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMascara Barb Tank Setup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003eA spacious aquarium with strong water flow, excellent oxygenation, and plenty of open swimming space suits these fish perfectly — reflecting their natural fast-moving river habitat in the Western Ghats. Fine sand or smooth gravel substrate, rocks, boulders, driftwood, and hardy plants such as Java Fern and Anubias provide structure and cover while leaving plenty of open water for the school to move freely. A filter providing 4–5 times the tank volume per hour is recommended to maintain the well-oxygenated conditions this species thrives in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding Your Mascara Barbs\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003eOmnivores with a healthy appetite. A high quality flake or pellet forms an excellent staple diet, supplemented regularly with frozen or live foods such as bloodworm, brine shrimp, and daphnia. Variety is important for maintaining their vibrant colouration and long term health — a diet rich in colour-enhancing foods will bring out the red-orange tones in males particularly well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow Many Mascara Barbs Should You Keep?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003eAs a true schooling species, Mascara Barbs should always be kept in groups of 8 or more. In a proper school they are active, confident, and display their most impressive behaviour and colouration. Males in particular become more boisterous and competitive in larger groups — chasing one another and displaying their finest colours in a constantly dynamic and entertaining show.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMascara \u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003eHere you go, SEO-optimized and ready to copy and paste:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMascara Barb | A Striking and Active Schooling Fish From the Western Ghats of India\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe Mascara Barb (Dawkinsia assimilis) is one of the most visually impressive and underappreciated barbs in the freshwater aquarium hobby. Native to the fast-flowing, well-oxygenated rivers and streams of the Western Ghats in southwestern India — including the Chalakudy, Kallada, and Netravati River basins — this large, torpedo-shaped barb is a genuinely stunning fish that commands attention in any spacious community aquarium. Its metallic silver body is accented with a bold dark lateral stripe, warm orange-silver and rose tones, and the distinctive black marking behind the eye that gives this species its evocative common name.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003eBreeding males are in a class of their own — developing vivid red-orange accents on the dorsal and caudal fins, extended filament-like fin rays, and small tubercles on the head that signal peak condition. In a large school under good lighting, the Mascara Barb is nothing short of spectacular.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMascara Barb Care Guide\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare at a Glance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\" class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3 print:block print:space-y-1\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eScientific name: Dawkinsia assimilis\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eAlso known as: Mascara Barb, Mascara Torpedo Barb, Blackline Barb, Redfin Mascara Barb\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eOrigin: Western Ghats, southwestern India\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eAdult size: 4–5 inches (10–13 cm)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eMinimum tank size: 55 gallons (200 litres) — longer tanks strongly preferred; minimum 47 inches (120 cm) frontage recommended\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eTemperature: 72–79°F (22–26°C) — a cooler water species that prefers the lower end of the tropical range\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003epH: 6.5–7.5\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eHardness: 5–15 dGH — soft to moderately hard water\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eStrong filtration and high oxygenation essential\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eBest kept in groups of 8 or more\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eLifespan: 5–8 years with good care\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMascara Barb Tank Setup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003eA spacious aquarium with strong water flow, excellent oxygenation, and plenty of open swimming space suits these fish perfectly — reflecting their natural fast-moving river habitat in the Western Ghats. Fine sand or smooth gravel substrate, rocks, boulders, driftwood, and hardy plants such as Java Fern and Anubias provide structure and cover while leaving plenty of open water for the school to move freely. A filter providing 4–5 times the tank volume per hour is recommended to maintain the well-oxygenated conditions this species thrives in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding Your Mascara Barbs\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003eOmnivores with a healthy appetite. A high quality flake or pellet forms an excellent staple diet, supplemented regularly with frozen or live foods such as bloodworm, brine shrimp, and daphnia. Variety is important for maintaining their vibrant colouration and long term health — a diet rich in colour-enhancing foods will bring out the red-orange tones in males particularly well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow Many Mascara Barbs Should You Keep?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003eAs a true schooling species, Mascara Barbs should always be kept in groups of 8 or more. In a proper school they are active, confident, and display their most impressive behaviour and colouration. Males in particular become more boisterous and competitive in larger groups — chasing one another and displaying their finest colours in a constantly dynamic and entertaining show.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMascara Barb Tank Mates\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\" class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3 print:block print:space-y-1\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eOther large, active barbs such as Denison Barbs and Tiger Barbs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eRainbowfish and similarly sized active schooling fish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eLarger gouramis and peaceful medium to large community fish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eLoaches and peaceful bottom dwellers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eAvoid small, slow-moving, or delicately finned fish that may be stressed or nipped by their boisterous activity\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eAvoid very small fish that may be outcompeted for food\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Tank Mates\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\" class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3 print:block print:space-y-1\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eOther large, active barbs such as Denison Barbs and Tiger Barbs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eRainbowfish and similarly sized active schooling fish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eLarger gouramis and peaceful medium to large community fish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eLoaches and peaceful bottom dwellers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eAvoid small, slow-moving, or delicately finned fish that may be stressed or nipped by their boisterous activity\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eAvoid very small fish that may be outcompeted for food\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Poseidon Aquatics And Plants","offers":[{"title":"2.5\"-3.5\"","offer_id":48531570524382,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0645\/4768\/4574\/files\/Photo_c76bf674-ca83-49a4-aa92-26174c534b16.png?v=1741201181","url":"https:\/\/poseidonaquaticsandplants.com\/products\/mascara-barb-dawkinsia-assimilis","provider":"Poseidon Aquatics And Plants","version":"1.0","type":"link"}