Odessa barb is a fish that is not easily available at the pet store. But purchasing them would be of worth. This is because they shop a great deal of colors.
Beginner’s guide would help how to care for odessa barb fish and proper care would bring out the best of their appearance
Odessa Barb Fish – Overview
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Scarlet Barb and Ticto Barb are other common names of Odissa Barbs. |
| Scientific Name | They are scientifically referred to as Pethia padamya. |
| Habitat or Origin | They are native to Indonesia, Sumatra, and bornea. They are freshwater species. |
| Average Size | They can grow up to 3 inches (8cm). |
| Coloration | The body of the female fish is silver and pink along with a black spot above the pectoral fin. The male fish is black to silver in color. |
| Life Span | They live up to 3 years. Their life span can be extended for a couple of years more under proper care. |
| Diet | This fish can eat almost anything. When live or frozen food is fed they show great coloration and active behavior. They can be fed flakes, pellets, and wafers. They can also be given freeze-dried food. But most of the nutrient for this fish is obtained by flakes. |
| Gender Identification | The females are plumper when they are developing eggs. The males are brighter in color. |
| Behavior | The males show aggressive behavior when it comes to occupying territory. But they settle down quickly. They also nip the large fins of smaller fish. |
| Compatibility | The fish is a little aggressive but they can get along with other barbs like Tiger barbs, denison barbs, cherry barbs, zebrafish, molly, and Neon tetra. They can co-exist with prawns. Large fishes and slow-moving fishes with large fins should not be kept along with these fishes. |
| Ideal Tank Conditions | The water can be slightly acidic. The tank should be well planted for an ideal setup. For one fish 10 gallons can do. For everyone, other fish 10 gallons of water should be added. |
| Water Parameters | The temperature of the water should be 70 – 78 degrees F (21-26 degrees C). The pH range should be 6-7. |
| Breeding | A school of fishes should be kept in a breeding tank. one the male and female pairs, the female starts to lay eggs. The male follows to fertilize them. The parents should be removed once the eggs are laid. The eggs will hatch in 3-4 days. The young ones can be fed infusoria after which they can be given brine shrimp. |
| Common Diseases | Fin nipping is seen in this fish. The freshwater disease is common among these fishes. |
| Approximate Cost | They cost $7 to $9. But when brought in a group they might cost less. |
| What to look when buying | Make sure the fins of the fish are proper. The fishes are small. So the purchase size of the fish could be 1 or 1.5 inches. |
| Species in the Market | Tiger barbs, denison barbs, cherry barbs, zebrafish are other species available in the market. |
Gallery of Odessa Barb Fish
References
- None