Odessa Barb

fish description – Odessa Barb Care Guide ($Pethia\ padamya$)

Category	Detail
Scientific Name	$Pethia\ padamya$ (formerly $Puntius\ padamya$)
Common Name	Odessa Barb, Ruby Barb
Origin	Irrawaddy and Sittaung River basins (Myanmar, formerly Burma)
Adult Size	2–3 inches (5–7.5 cm)
Temperament	Peaceful, very active, mid-level schooling fish
Lifespan	3–5 years
Care Level	Easy

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Appearance and Sexual Differences

 

• Short Description: This small, deep-bodied barb has a silvery-bronze base color and a distinct black spot near the tail. Males develop a brilliant, unbroken neon red/orange horizontal stripe from the head to the tail, especially during display, while females remain plumper and olive/beige.
• Coloration: Males are brilliantly colored with the signature red stripe; they also have black or dark vertical blotches and black spots on the dorsal fin. Females are generally larger (plumper), paler, and lack the vivid red stripe, showing only a bronze or olive base color.
• Fins: Clear, with the male’s fins often showing red and black markings.
• Behavior: They are highly active and energetic, moving throughout the entire tank, though mainly in the middle water column. They are a shoaling species and must be kept in groups to feel secure and prevent any potential fin-nipping.

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Tank Requirements and Water Parameters

 

• Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons (75 liters) is the recommended minimum for a small school. A 30-gallon tank or larger is better for allowing ample swimming space and maintaining stable water quality.
• Schooling: Should be kept in schools of at least 8–10 individuals. A large group encourages natural social interaction (sparring among males) and minimizes attention paid to other tank mates.
• Temperature: Cooler Tropical range: $70^\circ$–$78^\circ\text{F}\ (21^\circ$–$26^\circ\text{C})$. They tolerate slightly lower temperatures than many other tropical fish.
• pH Level: Slightly acidic to neutral water: 6.5 to 7.5. They are hardy but thrive best with stable water parameters and clean, well-filtered water.
• Aquascape: A well-planted aquarium is ideal, using live plants like Java Fern and Anubias. Provide a dark substrate and moderate lighting (floating plants help) to enhance the male’s red coloration. Ensure plenty of open space for active swimming.

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Diet and Feeding

 

The Odessa Barb is an omnivore with a hearty appetite.

• Staple Diet: High-quality flake food or small pellets. A varied diet is key to maintaining the male’s intense red stripe.
• Supplementation: Offer protein-rich frozen or live foods regularly: Bloodworms, Daphnia, and Brine Shrimp. They also enjoy vegetable matter, so include spirulina flakes or occasional blanched vegetables (e.g., cucumber).
• Schedule: Feed small amounts 2–3 times per day. They are eager feeders and must consume their food quickly; monitor to ensure slower tank mates are not out-competed.

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Compatibility

 

• Caution: Though generally peaceful, they can be boisterous and should not be trusted with long-finned, slow-moving fish (e.g., Angelfish, Bettas, Fancy Guppies) as they are prone to fin-nipping, especially when kept in too small a school.
• Good Tank Mates: Other small, active, and robust community fish. Examples include Corydoras catfish, Danios (Zebra, Giant), peaceful Tetras (Black Skirt, Serpae), Rainbowfish, and Loaches.