Arulius barb facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Arulius barb |
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The Arulius barb (Dawkinsia arulius) is a colorful tropical fish. It belongs to the cyprinid family, which includes carps and minnows. This fish is naturally found in the Kaveri River basin in southern India. People also call it the Tamiraparani barb, Silas barb, or longfin barb.
Contents
Meet the Arulius Barb: What Does It Look Like?
Adult Arulius barbs have a dark brownish-olive color on their backs. Their sides are lighter, turning white on their bellies. They have three distinct black spots or blotches on their bodies.
Unique Markings and Fins
The first black spot is in the middle of its body. It sits just above where its pelvic fin starts. A second black spot is found above its anal fin. The third spot is at the base of its tail fin, though it's not as clear as the other two.
The fins of the Arulius barb are thin and see-through. Adult fish usually have brighter colors than younger ones. Adult males of this species do not have long, thread-like extensions on their dorsal fins. This is different from some other related fish, like the Dawkinsia filamentosa. The Arulius barb can grow to about 12 centimeters (about 5 inches) long.
Where Does the Arulius Barb Live?
The Arulius barb lives in large streams, rivers, and lakes. These fish prefer water that is slightly acidic. The water's pH level is usually between 6.0 and 6.5.
Water Conditions
They also like water that is moderately hard, around 10 dH. The temperature of their natural home ranges from 19°C to 25°C (66°F to 77°F). These specific conditions help them thrive in their natural environment.
What's in a Name?
The name arulius comes from the local people in India. They call this fish "aruli." This shows how closely connected the fish is to the area where it lives.
Keeping Arulius Barbs as Pets
Arulius barbs are peaceful and active fish. They lay eggs and can be a great addition to a home aquarium. They get along well with other similar fish species.
Tank Mates and Behavior
Good tank mates include tiger barbs (Puntigrus tetrazona) and rosy barbs (Pethia conchonius). Other fast-swimming cyprinid fish of similar size are also good choices. They can even live with some types of cichlids. However, very small fish like neon tetras might be eaten by larger Arulius barbs.
Like many barbs, they can sometimes nip at the fins of other fish. You can reduce this behavior by keeping them in groups. It's best to have at least 5 or 6 Arulius barbs together in the aquarium. Remember to make sure your tank is big enough for them to grow to their full size of 10–12 cm (4–5 inches).
See also
- List of freshwater aquarium fish species
