Black ruby barbs

Black ruby barbs are native to the forest streams of Sri Lanka. Growing up to 6cm in length, these hardy, active freshwater fish are renowned for their peaceful nature and stunning transformation in colouration as they mature into adulthood. Juveniles appear muted yellow in colour with three or four dark bands running vertically down their bodies. After around six months they mature; females develop a slightly fuller body with deeper tones, males transform to have a ruby red head and a stunning jet-black body.

Special requirements: Must be kept in groups of six or more to promote natural behaviour. Ideally keep more females than males to reduce competition within the males. Create plenty of free swimming space for your Black ruby barbs by planting hardy plants on the border of the tank. Black ruby barbs also benefit from dark substrate and floating plants to offer shade within the tank. Diet: At Wirral Aquatics we feed our Black ruby barbs EBO pro softa artemia, insect meal and mussel as well as live foods such as daphnia, brine shrimp and bloodworm. Tank size: 70 litres +

Tank mates: Black ruby barbs, whilst generally consider a peaceful fish, are also extremely active and fast moving. For this reason, it is best to house them with similar sized, fast-moving fish such as tetras, rasboras and danios. Avoid housing them with slow moving fish who they will outcompete for food, or fish with long fins as the barbs may be tempted to nip them, especially if the Black ruby barbs are only in a small group.