Purple head barb - Pethia nigrofasciata DNZ

The extremely eye-catching purplehead barbs, Pethia nigrofasciata, have been known in aquaristics since the '30s and have lost none of their fascination since then. Their color intensity makes them a welcome aquarium inhabitant, which can already be maintained by somewhat experienced aquarist beginners. Originally from Sri Lanka and belonging to the carp fish, the barb is mainly found in slow flowing waters and forest streams, some of which flow into the Indian Ocean, but also at altitudes of up to 300 meters. In its natural range the Purple Headed Barb is nearly threatened with extinction due to various factors, the animals available in the trade are therefore, like ours, German offspring.

Purple head barbs have a slightly high-backed build with a shimmering silver base color, on which there are vertical black and gray bands. The scales are large and conspicuous. They may turn completely black, especially when transferred or under stress. Their purple heads, which gave them their name, are conspicuous. The fins are silvery-transparent, near the body but also reddish, or black. They grow to about 6 cm in size and live up to 4 years. These peaceable and wonderfully pretty ornamental fish do not attract attention by bad behavior and are perfectly suitable for community aquariums, where they attract attention just by their coloration.

Purple head barbs differ externally mainly by the intensity of their color. Especially the males develop magnificent purple hues in the head, neck and throat area during the spawning season, which can also extend over the otherwise black fins. Females remain somewhat more colorless and also do not become quite as high-backed. At courtship time, the males compete with each other for females by circling each other over and over. The female is also courted in the same manner. Dense plants are used by the animals for spawning, where the spawn is left to fend for itself. The larvae do not color until they are older and can be raised initially on fine live food.

Purplehead barbs are group fish that should be optimally kept in small groups of about 10 individuals, starting at 100 liters. Regarding their habitat, the fish like slightly acidic water parameters as well as quite shady corners, which is why a so-called blackwater aquarium would be suitable.

Roots and stone structures allow them to retreat, as they become shy quite easily. Your aquarium should be rather less well lit and have dense underwater vegetation in the form of fine-feathered plants and mosses where the animals can retreat for rest and protection. It is possible for the animals to eat very fine plants. The type and color of the substrate plays a rather minor role, but dark colors may help the animals form better colors, as it provides them with security. The aquarium may well be peat filtered and should have these water parameters: Total Hardness 5-12° dGH, KH 0-4 dKH, pH up to 6.0 and a temperature between 22- 26°C.

Purplehead barbs are peaceful fish that can be excellently socialized in the community aquarium with other fish that have similar requirements and are not too intrusive, such as other barbs, tetras or catfish. Since they have among other things small crustaceans on their menu, invertebrates should rather not be kept with them.

The barbs feed on animal food such as micro crayfish and other aquatic insects, but also on plant food. Therefore, their menu should be varied and consist of a vegetable staple food in the form of flakes and granules, as well as regular offerings of frozen food and live food such as daphnia, enchytraea, mosquito larvae and artemia.

Our food recommendation: NatureHolic professional main feed is a professional main feed for all aquarium fish. We supply Hauptfeed in the form of soft granules, which, thanks to its grain size of half a millimeter, can be easily ingested by small to medium-sized fish. The soft consistency resembles the texture of insect larvae in nature and protects the fish mouth from micro-injuries.

Our plant recommendation: Use for planting NatureHolic InVitros. These are free of snails, planarians and other unwanted co-inhabitants. Also free of algae spores, bacteria and fungi.

Expert Tip: We recommend for fish keeping the NatureHolic 3 Phase Liquid. The care set offers the best all-round protection for your animals. It ensures optimal conditions for successful breeding and keeping.