Arulius Barb

The arulius barb is caught in the Kaveri River in Southeast India and makes it into the aquarium trade from time to time. These active, colorful barbs grow to four inches and, if in a school, will not nip at other fish. These are best kept in a school of five or six. Similar in disposition to tiger barbs (though they get bigger!), arulius will eat prepared flake or pellet foods and get along with most other mildly aggressive community fish.

Arulius barbs do best in clean, low-pH water (anything near 8 will kill them off).

Quick Facts

Care Guide

Tank setup: These barbs grow large and swim fast, so give them lots of open space, strong filtration and a tight-fitting lid, since they can jump.

Feeding: Feed a quality flake or small pellet once or twice a day, only as much as they eat in a couple of minutes. They also enjoy frozen foods like bloodworms and brine shrimp.

Tankmates: Keep them with similar-sized, active fish such as rainbowfish, larger barbs, larger tetras, loaches and peaceful cichlids. Very small fish may be eaten or stressed.

Good to know: Arulius barbs behave best in a school. Males grow long, trailing dorsal fins as they mature.