Gold barb size: how big does it get?

Adults reach about 7.5 cm. The largest on record measured 7.6 cm (total length). Record sizes among the 137 Cyprinidae species on LumaReef: 1.3 cm (Strawberry Rasbora) to 200 cm (Yellowcheek).

Gold barb tank size: what is the minimum?

A tank at least 90 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Standard tank or larger.

Gold barb water parameters: what does it need?

Temperature 16–24 °C, pH 6.5–7.8, hardness 5–19 °dGH. Cooler than most Cyprinidae on LumaReef (20–26 °C).

Gold barb tank mates: what can it live with?

It gets along with 21 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Black skirt tetra, Pearl danio, and Zebra danio.

Gold barb depth: how deep does it live?

In the wild, 0 to 5 m down. Shallower than most Cyprinidae on LumaReef (3–15 m).

FreshwaterIn the market60 coinsCommon

Gold barb

Barbodes semifasciolatus

A busy, confident forager picking detritus and algae off the bottom.

The Gold barb (Barbodes semifasciolatus) is a subtropical freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae. It swims in midwater close to the bottom, between 0 and 5 m deep. Adults grow to about 7.5 cm; the largest on record measured 7.6 cm (total length). In the aquarium it needs a tank at least 90 cm long and water at 16–24 °C.

Size: 7.5 cm
Smallest tank: 90 cm
Temperature: 16–24 °C
Care: Easy

In the aquarium

Temperature16–24 °C

pH6.5–7.8

Hardness5–19 °dGH

Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Omnivore
Activity: Moderate
Water layer: Mid water
Group: Happiest in a group of 8 or more
Plants: Plant safe

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 litres30 of them
Wide120 cm · 300 litres50 of them
Living room180 cm · 650 litres108 of them
Showcase250 cm · 1,200 litres200 of them
Gallery300 cm · 1,440 litres240 of them

Who it lives with

Gets along21 species

Caution47 species

Not together31 species

Aggressive with peaceful

In the wild

Water type: Freshwater
Climate zone: Subtropical
Habitat: Midwater, close to the bottom
Largest on record: 7.6 cmtotal length
Aquarium trade: Very common

Depth

surface

0 m5 m

Conservation status

Classification

OrderCypriniformes
FamilyCyprinidae
GenusBarbodes
SpeciesBarbodes semifasciolatus

In other languages

English: Chinese Barb
German: Messingbarbe
Spanish: Barbo dorado asiático
Dutch: Brokaatbarbeel
Russian: Барбус Золотой
Japanese: ゴマダラヒメゴイ
Chinese: 五線無鬚鲃

Quick answers

Gold barb size: how big does it get?: Adults reach about 7.5 cm. The largest on record measured 7.6 cm (total length). Record sizes among the 137 Cyprinidae species on LumaReef: 1.3 cm (Strawberry Rasbora) to 200 cm (Yellowcheek).
Gold barb tank size: what is the minimum?: A tank at least 90 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Standard tank or larger.
Gold barb water parameters: what does it need?: Temperature 16–24 °C, pH 6.5–7.8, hardness 5–19 °dGH. Cooler than most Cyprinidae on LumaReef (20–26 °C).
Gold barb tank mates: what can it live with?: It gets along with 21 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Black skirt tetra, Pearl danio, and Zebra danio.
Gold barb: alone or in a group?: Keep at least 8 together.
Gold barb and plants: is it plant safe?: Yes, it leaves plants alone.
Gold barb depth: how deep does it live?: In the wild, 0 to 5 m down. Shallower than most Cyprinidae on LumaReef (3–15 m).