Rohani Barb

Name: Rohani Barb
SKU: 15791
Availability: InStock

₹130

The Rohani Barb ( $Dawkinsia\ rohani$ ) is a highly active and stunning medium-sized barb endemic to hill streams in Southern India. It is a peaceful shoaling fish known for its elongated body, metallic scales, and striking fins, requiring cool, highly oxygenated water and ample space for its vigorous swimming habits.

Categories: Barbs, Fish Specific

Description

fish description – Rohani Barb Care Guide ( $Dawkinsia\ rohani$ )

Category	Detail
Scientific Name	$Dawkinsia\ rohani$ (formerly $Barbus\ rohani$ )
Common Name	Rohani Barb, Golden Scaled Indian Barb, Rohan’s Barb
Origin	Hill streams of Southern India (Tamil Nadu)
Adult Size	3–4.7 inches (8–12 cm)
Temperament	Peaceful, very active, mid-to-upper level schooling fish
Lifespan	5–8 years
Care Level	Moderate (requires cool, highly oxygenated water)

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Appearance and Sexual Differences

Short Description: This barb has an elongated, torpedo-shaped body covered in metallic, reflective scales. It is characterized by specific caudal (tail) spot markings (often tear-drop shaped) and clear, sometimes reddish, fins.
Coloration: Body is generally silvery or golden-scaled. Males are more brilliantly colored, especially when breeding, developing red highlights on their fins and sometimes spawning tubercles on the snout. Females are generally larger and rounder.
Fins: Males typically develop a distinct filament or serration on the dorsal fin, a characteristic of the Dawkinsia genus.
Behavior: Extremely active and requires significant swimming room. They are schooling fish that are known to be slightly skittish and prone to jumping, especially when frightened. They thrive in fast-flowing conditions.

Tank Requirements and Water Parameters

Minimum Tank Size: 40 gallons long (150 liters) is the absolute minimum, and a tank length of 4 to 6 feet is highly recommended to provide adequate room for their vigorous swimming. A secure lid is mandatory.
Schooling: Should be kept in schools of at least 10 individuals or more. A large school is necessary to distribute sparring behavior among males and provide security to reduce shyness.
Temperature: Cool Tropical range: $72^\circ$ – $78^\circ\text{F}\ (22^\circ$ – $26^\circ\text{C})$ . They prefer slightly cooler water and do not tolerate sudden temperature spikes (e.g., above $80^\circ\text{F}$ ).
pH Level: Neutral to slightly acidic: 6.5 to 7.5. They require pristine, highly oxygenated water with good flow, mimicking their stream habitat.
Aquascape: Requires a setup with good current/flow (via filter outflow or powerheads). Use fine gravel or sand, with dense planting (Java Fern, Anubias) and driftwood along the sides and back, leaving a vast open swimming lane in the middle.

Diet and Feeding

The Rohani Barb is a micropredator/omnivore that feeds on small aquatic invertebrates and plant matter in the wild.

Staple Diet: High-quality flake food or small sinking pellets.
Supplementation: A varied diet is essential for color. Offer protein-rich frozen or live foods: Bloodworms, Daphnia, and Brine Shrimp. Include vegetable matter (e.g., spirulina flakes) occasionally.
Schedule: Feed once or twice a day, ensuring they consume the food quickly. They are enthusiastic eaters and can become aggressive during feeding.

Compatibility

Caution: Though generally peaceful, they are active and can be boisterous. Avoid slow-moving, timid, or long-finned species (like Angelfish, Bettas, or long-finned Guppies) as they are prone to fin-nipping, especially when stressed or in a small school.
Good Tank Mates: Other fast-swimming, robust, and similarly sized species. Examples include Rosy Barbs, Denison Barbs, most Danios (Zebra, Giant), Rainbowfish (Boesemani, Australian), and peaceful Loaches (e.g., Yoyo Loaches).