Goldfinned Barb

About

A small schooling fish from Asia with somewhat uncertain origins, Puntius sachsii is a compact, active barb that brings a lot of personality to a community setup. Not all of it welcome. Like many barbs, it behaves better in larger groups; keep at least five together and the fish tend to direct their energy toward each other rather than toward the fins of their tankmates. Smaller groups are noticeably more prone to nipping, so skimping on numbers is a gamble. Beyond the fin-nipping reputation, these fish are enthusiastic foragers. They spend a good deal of time working over the substrate, picking through any debris or food scraps they can find, and they will graze on soft-leaved aquatic plants given the chance. So a heavily planted tank may not stay that way for long. On the upside, feeding is rarely a challenge; they are genuinely unfussy omnivores that will accept most foods offered. Their care demands are otherwise modest, making them a reasonable choice for a newer keeper who understands the schooling and compatibility requirements going in. A lively, energetic fish that rewards attentive stocking decisions.