Rosy Barb

The Rosy Barb (Barbus conchonius) is a tropical fish belonging to the Barb family (Cyprinidae). Originating in Bengal, India and other parts of Southeast Asia, this fish is sometimes kept in the fish keeping hobby. This pinkish fish is one of the larger species of Barbs growing up to 6 inches (15 cm) in length. Their color becomes bolder during their mating periods. The male has a brighter pinkish color and the female is slightly more plump.

The Rosy Barb is an active, peaceful species well-suited for a community aquarium. In the wild their omnivorous diet consists of worms, insects, crustaeans, and plant matter and they will eat most foods provided to it. They have a lifespan of up to 5 years. Rosy Barbs natively live in lakes and fast flowing water in a subtropical climate. They prefer water conditions with a 6.5 pH, a water hardness of 10 dGH, and a temperature range of 64–72 °F (18–22 °C).

This fish was originally described by Hamilton-Buchanan under the name Cyprinus conchonius and is today sometimes classed as Puntius conchonius khagariansis or just Puntius conchonius (Datta Munshi and Srivastava 1988).