Gold Barb (Puntius semifasciolatus) – Tank Bred

For the safety of our animals, we now ship live fish exclusively via UPS Next Day Air. If your order contains this item, you will only see UPS Next Day Air as a shipping option during checkout.

The Gold Barb is a peaceful, hardy schooling fish with gleaming metallic golden coloration and a subtly patterned body. Tank-bred specimens like these are ideal for beginner and experienced aquarists alike, offering easy care and vibrant color that pops in any community setup. With their active nature and peaceful demeanor, Gold Barbs are a fantastic addition to planted tanks and social aquariums.

What We Love About This Fish:

• Brilliant Metallic Coloration: Glowing gold body with green or reddish undertones.

• Peaceful Nature: Friendly with other peaceful species, perfect for community aquariums.

• Active Swimmers: Schooling fish that stay active and bring energy to the tank.

• Hardy and Adaptable: Great for new aquarists or low-maintenance setups.

Natural Habitat:

The wild form of Puntius semifasciolatus originates from freshwater rivers and streams in Southeast Asia. While the wild type is greenish-silver, this beautiful golden morph has been selectively bred in captivity. These tank-bred specimens prefer tanks with moderate current, open swimming space, and vegetation.

Aquascaping Recommendations:

• Plants: Vallisneria, Java Fern, Water Wisteria, and Anubias are excellent choices for cover and grazing.

• Hardscape: Smooth stones, driftwood, and caves offer shelter and mimic their natural surroundings.

• Botanicals: Indian Almond Leaves or Alder Cones are optional but can enrich the environment.

Diet and Feeding:

Gold Barbs are omnivorous and not picky eaters. Offer high-quality flakes or pellets daily, supplemented with frozen foods like bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia. They also enjoy fresh vegetables like blanched spinach or zucchini.

Tank Mates and Compatibility:

Gold Barbs do well in peaceful community tanks. Keep in groups of 5 or more to prevent nipping and encourage natural schooling behavior. Suitable tank mates include other barbs, danios, rasboras, corydoras, rainbowfish, and most livebearers.

Shrimp Safe:

Generally safe with adult shrimp, though they may eat small shrimp fry. Dense planting and mosses can help protect smaller inverts.

Breeding Information:

Egg-scatterers that will readily spawn in the right conditions. Provide fine-leaved plants or spawning mops, and remove adults after spawning to prevent them from eating the eggs.

Recommended Tank Parameters:

• Temperature: 68° – 77° F (20° – 25° C)

• pH: 6.5 – 7.5

• KH: 4 – 10 dKH

• Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons

Care Guidelines:

• Diet: Omnivorous. Balanced diet with high-quality dry and frozen foods.

• Social Behavior: Schooling; best in groups of 5 or more.

• Origin: Tank Bred

• Average Adult Size: 2.5 – 3 inches (6.3 – 7.6 cm)

• Average Purchase Size: 1 – 1.5 inches (2.5 – 3.8 cm)

Bright, active, and beginner-friendly—the Gold Barb is a golden gem for any peaceful freshwater aquarium.

Live Arrival Guarantee:

All Aquatic Arts fish are backed by our 100% Live Arrival Guarantee and expert customer support.