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Barbs and danios belong to the carp family and are some of the toughest, most active fish in the hobby. Zebra danios and cherry barbs are classic beginner fish, while celestial pearl danios (galaxy rasboras) bring color to planted nano tanks.
Most species are fast swimmers that need horizontal space and a group. Kept in numbers of 6 or more, they spread their energy among themselves; kept in twos or threes, some barbs turn into persistent fin nippers. Tiger barbs in particular should never share a tank with bettas, angelfish or fancy guppies.
- Water: very adaptable; many tolerate 68-78 °F (20-26 °C), and zebra danios cope with cooler, unheated rooms.
- Tank size: small species fit 15-20 gallons (60-80 L); rosy barbs, giant danios and bala sharks need far more, and bala sharks grow into a large-tank fish.
- Aquarium sharks: red-tail and rainbow sharks are territorial toward similar bottom fish; keep only one per tank.
Give them a tight lid, because danios jump, and good filtration with some current. Their appetite is strong: feed small portions they finish in 2-3 minutes to protect water quality.
Barbs and danios
| Species | Min. liters | Size | Temp. | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Celestial pearl danio Danio margaritatus | 11 gal (40 L) | 1 in (2.5 cm) | 68–77 °F (20–25 °C) | Moderate |
 Cherry barb Puntius titteya | 16 gal (60 L) | 2 in (5 cm) | 73–81 °F (23–27 °C) | Easy |
 Tiger barb Puntigrus tetrazona | 26 gal (100 L) | 2.4 in (6 cm) | 72–79 °F (22–26 °C) | Easy |
 Zebra danio Danio rerio | 16 gal (60 L) | 2 in (5 cm) | 64–77 °F (18–25 °C) | Easy |
 Bala shark Balantiocheilos melanopterus | 264 gal (1000 L) | 11.8 in (30 cm) | 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) | Difficult |
 Giant danio Devario aequipinnatus | 63 gal (240 L) | 3.9 in (10 cm) | 68–79 °F (20–26 °C) | Easy |
 Gold barb Barbodes semifasciolatus | 26 gal (100 L) | 2.8 in (7 cm) | 64–75 °F (18–24 °C) | Easy |
 Odessa barb Pethia padamya | 26 gal (100 L) | 2.4 in (6 cm) | 68–79 °F (20–26 °C) | Easy |
 Pearl danio Danio albolineatus | 21 gal (80 L) | 2.4 in (6 cm) | 68–79 °F (20–26 °C) | Easy |
 Rainbow shark Epalzeorhynchos frenatum | 53 gal (200 L) | 4.7 in (12 cm) | 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) | Moderate |
 Red tail shark Epalzeorhynchos bicolor | 53 gal (200 L) | 4.7 in (12 cm) | 72–79 °F (22–26 °C) | Moderate |
 Rosy barb Pethia conchonius | 40 gal (150 L) | 3.9 in (10 cm) | 64–77 °F (18–25 °C) | Easy |
No species match those filters.