Gold Barb

The gold barb is a golden form, developed through breeding, of a greenish–gold barb that lives in southern China and Vietnam. Almost only this form is found in the trade; the name "Schubert's barb" comes from the breeder who developed it. The black spots and half-bands on the body vary from fish to fish.

With its tolerance of cool water, big appetite and docile nature, it is very well suited to beginners. It shows much less tendency to nip fins than tiger and rosy barbs.

• Gold form (Schubert's barb): the most common form in the trade; bright golden-yellow body with irregular black spots.
• Wild form (Chinese barb): body in greenish–olive and gold tones, with short, half vertical bands.

The wild form lives in lowland streams, ponds and rice paddy canals of southern China and northern Vietnam. This region has a subtropical climate; the water cools noticeably in the winter months.

• Volume: at least 80 liters and 80 cm of length for a group of 6–10.
• Water: 18–24°C; no heater is needed if the room temperature does not fall below 18°C. It is flexible about pH and hardness.
• Decor: plants along the edges, a wide swimming area in the middle. A dark substrate brings out the golden color.
• Maintenance: a 25–30% water change weekly; gentle to moderate flow and good oxygenation.

Omnivorous with a very big appetite. Flakes and granules, spirulina-based food, blanched vegetables, frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp. It may occasionally pick at soft-leaved plants; plant-based food reduces this tendency. Avoid overfeeding.

Active, social and peaceful. Harmless chasing occurs within the school. It is compatible with many species that like cool water; it also lives comfortably in a tropical aquarium at around 24°C.

Good companions: rosy barb, White Cloud Mountain minnow, zebra danio, platy, corydoras (those that tolerate cool water), Ancistrus, medium-sized rasboras.

Avoid: very small and shy fish, large cichlids; also do not mix it with very long-finned, slow species.

Kept with at least 6, ideally 10 or more individuals. In a large group it becomes bolder and swims actively. The sex ratio is not critical; a female-heavy group is better for breeding.

Breeds easily. It scatters its eggs over fine-leaved plants or a spawning mop; the parents eat the eggs. Remove the adults after spawning. The eggs hatch in 1–2 days; the fry are first fed infusoria, then baby brine shrimp.

Very hardy. White spot can appear with sudden temperature changes. Bloating and fin rot can develop with overfeeding and poor water.

Males are slimmer; during breeding their belly and fins turn orange–red. Females are larger and plumper, with a plainer yellow color.