Denison barb

Dawkinsia denisonii

A red front stripe above a black body line; leave a long swimming lane.

The natural form combines a red stripe on the front half, a black lateral line and yellow-black marks on both tail lobes. Gold strains and hybrids do not show the ordinary natural look.

Adult length: Up to 11 cm (standard length, without the tail fin)
Water temperature: 15–25 °C
Lifespan: About 5 years
pH: 6.5–7.8
Hardness: 5–25 dGH

Natural habitat: Typically found in clean, oxygen-rich headwaters and upper river reaches, gathering in rocky pools with dense bankside vegetation.

Provide a mature, clean, well-oxygenated aquarium. Juvenile size is no guide to lifetime space, and similar species or hybrids may occur in trade.

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Appearance and identification

Adults are streamlined and silver with an olive-grey back and red anterior dorsal rays. Similar D. chalakkudiensis can have a black dorsal mark, a shorter, duller red stripe and a more inferior mouth.

Same-species behaviour

Keep 6–10. A group allows social interaction but does not make them school tightly.

Space requirements

Use a minimum 120 × 45 cm base. Plan open swimming space, filtration and oxygenation for a group of 6–10. Maintain moderate flow and regular water changes.

Diet and feeding

Offer quality dried foods and small frozen or live foods with plant material in a varied diet. Sinking foods are favoured; check that all individuals feed.

Compatibility limits

Usually peaceful, but match adult size, activity and flow requirements. The similar D. chalakkudiensis is reported to be more belligerent, so identity matters.