Melon Barb

fish description – Melon Barb Care Guide ($Haludaria\ fasciata$)

Category	Detail
Scientific Name	$Haludaria\ fasciata$ (formerly $Puntius\ fasciatus$)
Common Name	Melon Barb, Haludaria Barb
Origin	Forest streams and clear waters of Southern India
Adult Size	3 inches (7.5 cm) (Up to 5 inches in ideal large setups)
Temperament	Peaceful, very active, mid-level shoaling fish
Lifespan	5–7 years
Care Level	Easy

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Appearance and Sexual Differences

 

• Short Description: A medium-sized, torpedo-shaped barb. Its body color ranges from gold to orange-red, set off by four or five faint to dark vertical bands along its flanks. The color intensifies under optimal water conditions and subdued lighting.
• Coloration: The body is a lovely base color of yellow-gold to reddish-orange, covered by vertical bars. Males are often more slender, smaller, and display brighter, richer colors, particularly red and black markings in the dorsal fin, especially when spawning. Females are larger and notably plumper/fuller-bodied.
• Fins: Proportional and clear, sometimes with red or black highlights.
• Behavior: A highly active and bold shoaling species that is a confident mid-water swimmer. They should be kept in large groups to maintain their naturally peaceful temperament and prevent fin-nipping behavior. They have a voracious appetite.

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Tank Requirements and Water Parameters

 

• Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons (114 liters) is the recommended minimum for a small school. A 48-inch long tank (50+ gallons) is better to accommodate their size and active swimming. A secure lid is recommended.
• Schooling: Should be kept in schools of at least 8–10 individuals. A large group disperses any internal aggression and encourages strong schooling behavior.
• Temperature: Tropical range: $72^\circ$–$82^\circ\text{F}\ (22^\circ$–$28^\circ\text{C})$ (ideally $75^\circ$–$79^\circ\text{F}$).
• pH Level: Slightly acidic to neutral water: 6.0 to 7.5. They are adaptable but thrive best in soft to moderately hard water with a gentle to moderate flow rate and high water quality.
• Aquascape: Requires a spacious aquarium with a large, open swimming area in the center. Plant the sides and back densely with robust plants (Anubias, Vallisneria), as they may occasionally nibble soft-leaved varieties. Dark substrate enhances their golden/red hues.

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Diet and Feeding

 

The Melon Barb is an omnivore with a very enthusiastic appetite.

• Staple Diet: High-quality flake food or small sinking pellets. Include spirulina or vegetable flakes in the rotation.
• Supplementation: A varied diet including frozen or live protein is essential for color maintenance: Bloodworms, Daphnia, and Brine Shrimp. Will also readily graze on filamentous algae.
• Schedule: Feed small portions once or twice a day. They are voracious eaters, so be careful not to overfeed, but ensure all fish get food by feeding quickly and monitoring.

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Compatibility

 

• Caution: Though generally peaceful, their high activity and large size means they should not be kept with very small, timid, or long-finned species (like Bettas, Fancy Guppies, or Angelfish) as they may nip fins, especially when they are hungry.
• Good Tank Mates: Other medium-sized, active, non-aggressive fish. Examples include most Rainbowfish (Boesemani, Australian), Danios, Loaches (Botia species), and peaceful Dwarf Gouramis or Corydoras catfish.