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Denison barb, photographed on a transparent background

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Denison barb

Sahyadria denisonii

A fast, torpedo-bodied runner that needs real distance to swim.

The Denison barb (Sahyadria denisonii) is a subtropical freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae. It swims in midwater, close to the bottom. Adults grow to about 11 cm; the largest on record measured 15 cm (total length). The IUCN Red List rates it Endangered. In the aquarium it needs a tank at least 120 cm long and water at 16–25 °C.

Size
11 cm
Smallest tank
120 cm
Temperature
16–25 °C
Care
Moderate

In the aquarium

Temperature16–25 °C
pH6.5–7.8
Hardness5–19 °dGH
Temperament
Peaceful
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Busy
Water layer
Mid water
Group
Happiest in a group of 6 or more
Plants
Plant safe
Drawn to scale in a 120 cm tank

These values are compiled from real species data, and the LumaReef simulation is built to keep them true to life.

Which tank it fits

  • Nano60 cm · 65 litresToo small
  • Standard90 cm · 180 litresToo small
  • Wide120 cm · 300 litres25 of them
  • Living room180 cm · 650 litres54 of them
  • Showcase250 cm · 1,200 litres100 of them
  • Gallery300 cm · 1,440 litres120 of them

Who it lives with

In the wild

Water type
Freshwater
Climate zone
Subtropical
Habitat
Midwater, close to the bottom
Largest on record
15 cmtotal length
Aquarium trade
Traded commercially

Conservation status

Classification

  1. OrderCypriniformes
  2. FamilyCyprinidae
  3. GenusSahyadria
  4. SpeciesSahyadria denisonii

In other languages

English
Denison's Barb
German
Denisonbarbe
Dutch
Torpedobarbeel

Quick answers

Denison barb size: how big does it get?
Adults reach about 11 cm. The largest on record measured 15 cm (total length). Record sizes among the 137 Cyprinidae species on LumaReef: 1.3 cm (Strawberry Rasbora) to 200 cm (Yellowcheek).
Denison barb tank size: what is the minimum?
A tank at least 120 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Wide tank or larger.
Denison barb water parameters: what does it need?
Temperature 16–25 °C, pH 6.5–7.8, hardness 5–19 °dGH. Cooler than most Cyprinidae on LumaReef (20–26 °C).
Denison barb tank mates: what can it live with?
It gets along with 33 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Giant danio, Swordtail, and Bristlenose pleco.
Denison barb: alone or in a group?
Keep at least 6 together.
Denison barb and plants: is it plant safe?
Yes, it leaves plants alone.
Denison barb: is it endangered?
The IUCN Red List rates it Endangered. Threatened among the 121 assessed Cyprinidae species on LumaReef: 28.

All Cyprinidae speciesAll species A–Z

Sources

Denison barb: compiled from these references.