Denison barb care guide
Also called: Roseline shark, Red line torpedo barb, Denison's barb, Torpedo barb, Miss Kerala
The Denison barb is a sleek, fast barb from southern India with a red stripe and a yellow-and-black tail. It's peaceful, but it needs a school of at least six, a long tank of 75 gallons (284 L) or more, and very clean, oxygen-rich water.
Denison barbs need a tank of at least 75 gallons (284 L), a group of 6 or more, and water at 20–25°C (68–77°F) with a pH of 6.5–7.8. They grow to about 13 cm (5.1 in) and are peaceful.
Plan a tank with denison barbsSee all tank mates
Denison barb quick facts
| Scientific name | Sahyadria denisonii |
|---|---|
| Family | Cyprinidae |
| Origin | Hill streams of Kerala and Karnataka, southern India (most sold today are farm-bred) |
| Adult size | 13 cm (5.1 in) |
| Minimum tank | 75 gallons (284 L), at least 120 cm (47 in) long |
| Temperature | 20–25°C (68–77°F) |
| pH | 6.5–7.8 |
| Hardness (GH) | 5–20 dGH |
| Group size | 6 or more (schooling fish) |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Swims at | Middle |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Care level | Moderate |
| Lifespan | 5–8 years |
| Safe with shrimp? | No, eats shrimp |
| Safe with plants? | Mostly (nibbles soft plants) |
- Known jumper: keep a tight-fitting lid.
Tank setup
A group of six needs a tank at least 4 ft (120 cm) long and 18 in (45 cm) front to back, such as a standard 75-gallon (284 L). Leave a long open lane for swimming, put rocks, wood and hardy plants around the edges, and use a strong filter that makes some current. Keep the lid closed, because startled fish jump.
How many denison barbs in a tank?
The smallest common tank that suits denison barbs is a 75 gallon. Here is roughly how many fit in each size when they are the only fish, based on adult size and waste output. Leave room if you want tank mates.
| Tank | Denison barbs (alone) |
|---|---|
| 3 gallon | Too small |
| 5 gallon | Too small |
| 10 gallon | Too small |
| 15 gallon | Too small |
| 20 gallon | Too small |
| 20 gallon long | Too small |
| 29 gallon | Too small |
| 40 gallon | Too small |
| 55 gallon | Too small |
| 75 gallon | 6–17 |
| 125 gallon | 6–29 |
What you need for denison barbs
Sized for a 75 gallon tank, the smallest common size that suits a group of 6 denison barbs. For a different tank or a mix of fish, use the stocking calculator for a list sized to your plan.
Tank and equipment
- 75 gallon aquarium (tank or kit) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Bigger tanks are more stable and easier for beginners. How to choose
- Aquarium stand for 75 gallons (opens Amazon in a new tab)The water alone weighs about 626 lb (284 kg), before glass, gravel and rock. How to choose
- 2 adjustable heaters, 75 W each (opens Amazon in a new tab)Holds about 73 °F (22.5 °C) in a room at 65 °F (18 °C). Two heaters keep the tank warm if one fails. How to choose
- Aquarium thermometer (opens Amazon in a new tab)Check it daily: heaters can fail stuck on or off. How to choose
- Hang-on-back filter rated 300–450 GPH (opens Amazon in a new tab)Community tank: 4–6 times the tank volume per hour. How to choose
- About 100 lb of aquarium gravel (opens Amazon in a new tab)Enough for a layer about 2 in (5 cm) deep. Smooth gravel suits most community fish. How to choose
- Water conditioner (dechlorinator) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Removes chlorine and chloramine from tap water. Seachem Prime is a popular, concentrated choice. How to choose
- Liquid test kit (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Liquid kits are more accurate than strips. The API Freshwater Master Test Kit is the common choice. How to choose
- Gravel vacuum (siphon) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Cleans the gravel and does the water change in one go. How to choose
- LED aquarium light, about 48 in long (opens Amazon in a new tab)Match the light to the tank length. Basic LEDs grow easy plants. How to choose
Food and extras for denison barbs
- Tropical fish pellets (opens Amazon in a new tab)A good staple for medium community fish.
- Tight-fitting lid for a 75 gallon tank (opens Amazon in a new tab)Denison barb can jump out of an open tank.
Product links go to Amazon search results. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Disclosure.
Water parameters
In the wild they live in cool, fast, oxygen-rich streams. Aim for 20–25°C (68–77°F), pH 6.5–7.8 and moderate hardness (about 5–20 dGH). Don't keep them warm for long periods. They need spotless water, so change 30–50% every week and keep nitrate low.
Best tank mates for denison barbs
These popular species share denison barbs' water needs and temperament. See the full list of 77 good matches.
Nerite snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Neon tetra
3.5 cm (1.4 in) · 21–25°C (70–77°F)
Panda corydoras
4.5 cm (1.8 in) · 21–25°C (70–77°F)
Bristlenose pleco
12 cm (4.7 in) · 22–26°C (72–79°F)
Bronze corydoras
7 cm (2.8 in) · 21–26°C (70–79°F)
Zebra danio
5 cm (2 in) · 18–25°C (64–77°F)
Tiger barb
7 cm (2.8 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Assassin snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Avoid keeping denison barbs with
- Cherry shrimp: Denison barb eats small shrimp like cherry shrimp.
- Boesemani rainbowfish: They need different temperatures: Denison barb 20–25°C (68–77°F), boesemani rainbowfish 26–29°C (79–84°F).
- Chinese algae eater: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful denison barbs.
- Convict cichlid: Convict cichlid is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful denison barbs.
- Discus: They need different temperatures: Denison barb 20–25°C (68–77°F), discus 28–30°C (82–86°F).
- Electric yellow cichlid: Electric yellow cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Denison barbs don't belong in that setup.
Feeding
An easy omnivore. Use a good sinking pellet or flake as the base, and add frozen or live foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp and daphnia a few times a week. Include some plant food, like spirulina flakes or blanched vegetables. Foods rich in carotenoids help keep the red stripe bright.
Behavior
Peaceful toward other fish, but very active and fast at feeding time, so slow or shy tankmates can go hungry. In groups smaller than six they get nervous and squabble. Good tankmates are other quick fish of similar size, such as larger rasboras, robust tetras, rainbowfish, loaches and medium catfish. Avoid slow, long-finned fish, as some individuals nip.
Breeding
Rarely bred in home tanks. Farms are thought to use hormones, and the few hobby spawnings needed a big group in soft, slightly acidic water. They scatter eggs and give no care, so eggs must be kept away from the adults. Most fish sold now are farm-bred, which takes pressure off the endangered wild population.
Tips from experienced keepers
- Buy a group of at least six at once. Single or paired Denisons hide, lose color and get stressed.
- Pick a long tank over a tall one. These fish need room to sprint from end to end.
- Keep the lid on and cover gaps around filters and cords. A spooked Denison can jump out.
- In hot rooms, plan for cooling. They do poorly when kept above about 26°C (79°F) for long.
- They are sold at about 2 in (5 cm) but usually reach about 5 in (13 cm), sometimes 6 in (15 cm). Set up for adult size.
Frequently asked questions
How many Denison barbs should be kept together?
Keep at least six, and eight to ten is better. In a proper school they are calmer, show better color and bicker less.
What size tank does a Denison barb need?
A group of six needs a tank at least 4 ft (120 cm) long and 18 in (45 cm) front to back, such as a standard 75-gallon (284 L). Bigger is better, because adults are fast swimmers that usually reach about 5 inches (13 cm) and sometimes 6 inches (15 cm).
Can Denison barbs live with shrimp?
Not reliably. Adults eat small crustaceans and can pick off cherry shrimp and their babies. Larger shrimp such as amanos in a heavily planted tank have a better chance.
Sources
We checked these references when writing this page. Values are for healthy long-term keeping, not survival limits. Last reviewed 2026-10-13. See our editorial policy.