The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Birchwood Aquatic Centre shop. Species sold at the Birchwood Aquatic Centre physical store may differ from ones available to order to your door.
Black Ruby Barb Pethia Nigrofasciata 4cm
Image for illustration purposes only. Exact colours, patterns, and size may vary between individuals.
Delivered alive, guaranteed
Live fish delivery is £20 per order, delivered Thursday, Friday or Saturday, arriving before 1:00pm on the day you choose at checkout. Packed by aquatic specialists and shipped overnight with a dedicated livestock courier, every fish is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee with automatic refunds. See How Live Fish Delivery Works for full details.
When will my fish arrive?
| Order placed | Delivery day |
|---|---|
| Up to Monday 11:00am | Thursday (that week) |
| Monday after 11:00am – Tuesday 11:00am | Friday (that week) |
| Tuesday after 11:00am – Wednesday 11:00am | Saturday (that week) |
| Wednesday after 11:00am – Sunday (any time) | Thursday (following week) |
Overview
The Black Ruby Barb is a small, deep-bodied shoaling barb whose males flush deep purple-red on the head and velvet black across the body when in breeding condition, while females stay a quieter banded yellow-brown. It is native to shaded rainforest streams in south-western Sri Lanka. A peaceful, hardy choice for planted community aquariums, from beginners upwards.
- Adult Size: Around 5.5–6 cm (2.2 in); males slightly smaller and slimmer
- Lifespan: 4–6 years
Origin
- Native to: Kelani and Nilwala river basins, south-western Sri Lanka
- Habitat: Cool, shaded rainforest streams with sand and leaf litter
Feeding
- Diet: Omnivorous
- Preferred Foods: Quality flake, micro granules, bloodworm, daphnia, brine shrimp, spirulina flake
- Feeding Habits: Feed small amounts twice daily; include some vegetable content for condition
Tank Mates
- Best with: Tetras, rasboras, danios, Corydoras, livebearers, rainbowfish
- Avoid: Large predators, aggressive cichlids, persistent fin-nippers
Aggression & Behaviour
- Temperament: Very peaceful
- Territoriality: Minimal; males spar harmlessly for display
Experience Level
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Challenges: Skittish and drab in groups under six
Water Parameters
- Water Type: Freshwater, soft to moderately hard, slightly acidic
- Temperature: 20–27°C (68–81°F)
- pH: 5.5–7.5
- Hardness: 2–15 dGH
- Flow: Slow to moderate
- Tank Size: Minimum 80 litres for a group of six to ten
Final Notes
Keep at least six, ideally more, with a mix of sexes: males only show their full ruby and black colours when competing for females. Dark substrate, subdued lighting and leaf litter bring the colours out further. Females are larger, plumper and browner. They scatter eggs freely and fry may appear in a mature planted tank. Export from Sri Lanka is banned, so stock is farm-bred and adaptable, making this a rewarding and easy barb.
Please Note
The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Birchwood Aquatic Centre shop. Species sold at the Birchwood Aquatic Centre physical store may differ from ones available to order to your door.
Frequently Asked Questions
In insulated boxes designed for live transport, packed by aquatic specialists,
overnight with a licensed live-animal courier, arriving before 1pm.
It is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee.
Photograph it within 4 hours of delivery, email info@birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk with your order number, and the refund is processed automatically. The cover continues for 7 days after arrival.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You pick your day at checkout; please choose a day someone is home.
Yes. One basket, one checkout; the fish arrive with the specialist courier and the rest of your order ships as normal.
We can deliver to UK mainland only for live fish.
Follow the five-minute acclimatisation steps in our When Your Fish Arrive guide: float the bags, add tank water gradually, net the fish in, lights low, feed tomorrow.