This page will give a completely detailed profile of the selected fish, from A to Z. The profiled fish will be chosen randomly by Badman, and will come from the complete genre of tropical fish. New profiles are added on a regular basis. If you would like to submit a profile for the site please contact me. Don't forget to let us know you experiences with this fish by filling out the

A fairly recent addition to the aquarium world the Denison Barb is a striking active fish. Still expensive you should use restraint before purchasing and make sure you can supply the environment needed to help them thrive.

Quick stats:

Listed tank sizes are the minimum
Size:	May grow up to 6 inches (15cm)
Tank:	55 gal minimum
Strata:	Bottom, Middle, Top
PH:	6.5-7.5
Hardness:	5° - 25° dH
Temperature:	59°F to 77°F (15°-20° C)

Classification:

Order:	Cypriniformes
Family:	Cyprinidae
Genus:	Puntius
Species:	denisonii

 

Common name:

Denison Barb, Red Line Torpedo Barb

Discuss:

Badmans' Forum

Additional species photographs

Distribution

Asia: Primarily from Kannaur, Kerala in India.

Slender and elongated torpedo shaped body with a slightly rounded belly.

This photo was originally taken by swordw and the original photo can be found here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/swordw/2472584790/

Body of gold or silver with red and black stripes running front to back and coming to a point at the nose. A red stripe runs through upper part of eye. Tail has 2 bright yellow slashes topped with Black. Dorsal fin has a Red swatch starting at the base and continuing along the top, thinning as it nears the end.

A peaceful and extremely active schooling fish-especially when young, less so as adults. They will use all water levels (top , middle and bottom). Recommended in a school of 6 or more. These fish are omnivores and eat pretty much whatever is offered. Loves freeze-dried bloodworms and sinking shrimp pellets. Live food is a nice treat as well as fruits and vegetables. Denison Barbs require a large enough tank to allow sufficient swimming space, but appreciates plants and driftwood (or ornaments ) to swim in through and around. Use hardier plants as they will nibble at soft plants. Provide a lot of current. Ideally keep them with active fish of similar size, but they will work well in most community set-ups providing extreme size differences and no overly aggressive fish are present. Coming from swift flowing cool water at 59-77°F (15-25°C) the oxygen content is high and the water conditions in your tank should try to mimic this as much as possible with the use of powerheads, excellent filtration and maintenance practices. Although I would recommend a heater -if your house temp is stable they do not actually need a heated tank.

Fast flowing mountainous streams.

Sexing and breeding is unknown, I have not seen any reports of tank breeding.

Denison Barb Click photo to buy Barbus denisonii

Your comments:

Add your comments:

From: Andrew Givens Date:10/22/09 I find these fish really do well where airstones are employed. Rather Rasbora-like (with the classic nose-to-tail black line with golden upper margin, and scissortail-like flashes on the tail-lobes), but with barbels and habit of bottom-feeding, I feel these fish differ so much from other larger Puntius that they may represent a different genus (they have been reclassified several times, once as Epalzeorhynchos denisoni - in Baench!) My three (later six) were worth every penny - elegant and peaceful - and thrived in a Duo120 180-litre Indian cyprinid community at 25c and pH7. Incidentally, Chester Zoo has accidentally bred these fishes - PFK covered it briefly but with no details of environmental parameters, triggers, etc... From: Guy Date:5/19/09 These are one of the most striking and graceful fish I have seen. The bright red streak along their body and flashes of yellow on their tails show up beautifully as they glide through a well planted tank. We have four in our 200 litre aquarium. They are very peaceful and thrive on their mixed diet of flakes and assorted worms. They are expensive, but worth every penny if you can find them (which is becoming harder). From: Sam Date:2/29/09 These fish are lively beautiful but EXPENSIVE fish to buy in the UK!!!. They like to be in pairs or shoals they are really just like a colourful bala shark they seem to do very well in community tank and do very good with discus and may be able to be kept with less aggressive cichlids such as firemouths,convicts,severums,blood parrots,kribs. Thats all I have to say for now so good luck with your redline torpedo barb.

Main index Aquarium Supplies Navigation Badmans Tropical Fish! Fishkeeping ABCs Favorite Fish Fish Families Detailed Information In Depth Definitions Natures Way The Equipment Whats That Mean? Want More Just For Fun Guestbook Site Search, What's New