The Roseline Barb (Sahyadria denisonii), also commonly known as the Red-line Torpedo Barb or Roseline Shark, is a vibrant, active schooling fish native to the fast-flowing rivers of the Western Ghats in India. Known for its sleek, torpedo-shaped body and a signature bright red stripe that runs from its snout through its eye, it is a popular choice for large, well-maintained community aquariums.
Key Characteristics
Appearance: A silver body featuring a bold black horizontal stripe with a parallel red stripe above it. The tips of its tail fin often have yellow and black markings.
Size: They typically reach an adult size of 4.5 to 6 inches (12–15 cm).
Lifespan: With proper care, they generally live between 5 to 8 years, though some may reach 10 years.
Social Behavior: These are strictly schooling fish and should be kept in groups of at least 6 or more to prevent stress and skittishness.
Tank Requirements
Minimum Tank Size: A 55-gallon tank (at least 4 feet long) is the minimum recommended for a small group, while a 75-gallon or larger tank is ideal to accommodate their active swimming nature.
Water Conditions:
Temperature: They prefer cooler tropical water between 15–25°C (60–77°F).
pH Range: 6.5 to 7.8.
Hardness: 5 to 25 dGH.
Setup: They thrive in well-oxygenated water with moderate to high flow, mimicking their natural riverine habitat. Use a tight-fitting lid.
Diet and Feeding
Omnivorous: In the aquarium, they readily accept high-quality flakes, sinking pellets, and frozen foods like bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia.
Color Enhancement: Feeding foods rich in carotenoids (such as astaxanthin or spirulina) can help maintain and intensify their vibrant red pigmentation.
Compatibility
Ideal Tank Mates: They are generally peaceful and pair well with other active, similarly sized fish such as rainbowfish, gouramis, larger tetras, danios, and other non-aggressive barbs.
Species to Avoid: Avoid housing them with very slow-moving or long-finned fish (like bettas or fancy guppies), as their high energy may be stressful or lead to occasional fin-nipping. They are also not considered safe for small shrimp, which they may prey upon.
SKU: RBM
