Denison barb
Sahyadria denisonii
A large, torpedo-shaped barb with a red line along its body; peaceful but very active, needing a long tank with flow and spotless water.
Key facts
- Body length
- 4.3 in without fins
- Minimum tank
- 76 gallons
- Group
- 6+
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Care level
- 3 / 5
- Lifespan
- Not well documented
- Diet
- Flakes, pellets, spirulina, frozen bloodworm and brine shrimp
- Origin
- Kerala and Karnataka, India
- Hardier than37%
- Bigger than63%
- Calmer than68%
Water: their range vs yours
Denison barb tank mates
- Neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Harlequin rasboraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Fancy guppyGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Panda corydorasGets along in shared water.Good mates
- BettaGets along in shared water.Good mates
- AngelfishGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Tiger barbGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black widow tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Bristlenose plecoGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Bronze coryGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Cardinal tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- OtocinclusDenison barb outcompetes the slow-eating Otocinclus for food; target-feed to make sure it eats.Risky
- Cherry shrimpDenison barb eats dwarf shrimp: Cherry shrimp (PROP: крупный активный всеядный карповый).Risky
- Amano shrimpDenison barb eats dwarf shrimp: Amano shrimp (PROP: крупный активный всеядный карповый).Risky
- Blood parrot cichlidDenison barb outcompetes the slow-eating Blood parrot cichlid for food; target-feed to make sure it eats.Risky
- Chinese algae eaterChinese algae eater attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Denison barb.Risky
- Clown loachClown loach attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Denison barb.Risky
- Blue dolphin cichlidBlue dolphin cichlid can eat Denison barb: prey body depth 2.4 cm ≤ mouth 6.3 cm.Avoid
- Iridescent sharkIridescent shark can eat Denison barb: prey body depth 2.4 cm ≤ mouth 32.5 cm.Avoid
- OscarOscar can eat Denison barb: prey body depth 2.4 cm ≤ mouth 12.3 cm.Avoid
- African clawed frogAfrican clawed frog should only be kept in a single-species tank.Avoid
- Marbled crayfishMarbled crayfish should only be kept in a single-species tank.Avoid
- AxolotlAxolotl can eat Denison barb: prey body depth 2.4 cm ≤ mouth 7.5 cm.Avoid
How we check
The numbers the tank model uses for Denison barbs: water as ideal and tolerated ranges, bioload from adult mass, space, flow and how they act on other species.
- Standard length
- 11 cm (SL)
- Adult mass
- 28.68 g
- Bioload at 25 °C
- 9.74 BU
- Min. water
- 243 L net
- Min. footprint
- 120 × 45 cm per group
- Group
- 6+ (best 10)
- Swims in
- middle
- Flow
- moderate
- Body / fins
- fusiform, normal fins
- Diet type
- omnivore
- Fin nipper
- none
- Sensitive to
- nitrate
Sources: Seriously Fish: Sahyadria (Dawkinsia) denisonii · FishBase: Sahyadria (Dawkinsia) denisonii
Care notes
Denison barbs come from clear, rocky upper reaches of rivers in Kerala and Karnataka, India. They grow to about 4.5 inches, swim fast and spar among themselves without harming other species.
A school of six to ten needs a mature tank around 55 gallons with a 4-foot footprint, strong oxygenation and large weekly water changes. They leave plants alone but eat dwarf shrimp.
Questions
What size tank does a denison barb need?
At least 76 gallons (243 litres of water after decor). Adults reach about 4.3 inches without fins.
How many Denison barbs should be kept together?
Keep at least 6, ideally 10 or more: fewer feel exposed and hide or turn nippy.
What water do Denison barbs need?
59–77 °F, pH 6.8–7.8 and 5–25 dGH. Denison barbs come from Kerala and Karnataka, India.
How long do Denison barbs live?
Not well documented with good care.
What fish can live with Denison barbs?
Good tank mates include Neon tetra, Harlequin rasbora, Fancy guppy, Panda corydoras and Betta. Each is checked both ways for size, fin nipping, temperament, territory and shared water.