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Encyclopedia / Barbs / Black ruby barb
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Variations

1 kinds · tap one for a closer look

Black ruby barb

Pethia nigrofasciata · Black ruby, Purple-headed barb

Peaceful.

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· real AED shop prices, never conversions
6 cmAdult size ✓
20–27 °CTemperature ✓
5.5–7.5pH ✓
72 LSmallest tank ✓
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Tank mates
Check your own mix →
Not recommended
  • Giant gourami eats animals up to about 10 cm. Black ruby barb only grows to 6 cm.
Not recommended
  • Oscar eats animals up to about 12 cm. Black ruby barb only grows to 6 cm.
Not recommended
  • Convict cichlid is aggressive and will bully peaceful black ruby barb.
With conditions
  • Only a narrow pH range suits both: exactly 7.5.
With conditions
  • Only a narrow temperature range suits both: 26–27 °C.
Compatible
Compatible
Compatible
Compatible
Compatible

437 species in our list are a good match.

Facts checked against sources on 16 Oct 2026. ✓ means a source backs it; ? means no reliable source yet. See sources

Care and water

Hardness ✓2–15 dGH
Group size ✓6 or more
Temperament ✓Peaceful
Swims at ✓Middle
Care level ✓Easy
Diet Omnivore
Lifespan ?Unknown
Size in shops 2.5–3 cm
Growth Medium

Behavior

Peaceful.

Food

Flakes, pellets.

Tap a food to see what it is.

Male or female

Male Black ruby barb
Male
Female Black ruby barb
Female

Males are smaller, slimmer and more colourful; in spawning colour the male's head and front body turn reddish-purple and the body darkens. Females are larger, paler, and keep the dark bands.

Health

Common problems. Tap one to see the signs. This is a guide, not a diagnosis.

Breeding

Egg-scatterer · Easy

Egg-scattering free spawner with no parental care; spawn in a separate dim tank over mesh, marbles or fine-leaved plants and remove the adults once eggs are seen.

Pairing

Buy a group of 6 or more; males turn deep red when ready.

Setup

40 L tank with fine plants or mops. Slightly soft water.

What starts it

Warm water, live foods and plenty of cover.

Eggs

More than 100 eggs per spawning; eggs hatch in 24-48 hours and fry swim free about a day later.

Raising the fry

Feed infusoria or liquid food for days 1-3, then baby brine shrimp and microworms. Grow out with frequent water changes. Sort by size to cut losses.

Common mistakes
  • Leaving parents with eggs
  • Too bright
  • Too small a group
Full breeding guide, day-by-day plan and simulator →

Where it lives in the wild

RegionSri Lanka (south-western wet zone)
Rivers and lakesRivers of Sri Lanka's south-western wet zone
HabitatShaded, slow rainforest streams
Native rangeAbout 100 km across
See it on the world map

The story of the black ruby barb

Described by Albert Günther in 1868 (as Barbus nigrofasciatus) and endemic to Sri Lanka. Breeding males turn reddish-purple on the head and front body. It is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN and wild fish may not be exported from Sri Lanka.

Albert Günther described the black ruby barb in 1868 from Sri Lanka. In breeding colour, males turn almost black with a glowing ruby-red head, which gave the fish its name. It has been kept by aquarists for many decades and is now widely bred in captivity.

First described by Albert Günther in 1868.

  • Breeding males turn almost black with a bright red-purple head.
  • It is found naturally only in Sri Lanka.
  • It is a peaceful barb suited to planted tanks.

Sources

16 facts checked with sources