Denison barb

The Denison barb is a colorful cyprinid of the family Cyprinidae, endemic to fast-flowing rivers of the Western Ghats in southern India. It has a torpedo-shaped silver body marked by a bold black lateral line topped with a bright red stripe running from the snout to mid-body, and a splash of yellow and black on the tail. It is a peaceful, energetic shoaling fish that must be kept in groups of six or more; kept singly it becomes stressed and skittish. It mixes well with other active, non-aggressive species. A large tank with strong current, high oxygenation, and open swimming space suits this active fish, along with plenty of length rather than height. An omnivore, it accepts flakes, pellets, and live or frozen foods. Wild populations have declined from over-collection, so captive-bred stock is preferable.