Dwarf barb - Pethia phutunio

Scientific name: Pethia phutunio

Common name: Dwarf barb

Family: Cyprinidae

Usual size in fish tanks: 3 - 4 cm (1.18 - 1.57 inch)

014

Recommended pH range: 6 - 7.2

Recommended water hardness: 4 - 12°N (71.43 - 214.29ppm)

0°C 32°F30°C 86°F

Recommended temperature range: 22 - 26 °C (71.6 - 78.8°F)

The way how these fish reproduce: Spawning

Where the species comes from: South Asia

Temperament to its own species: peaceful

Temperament toward other fish species: peaceful

Usual place in the tank: Middle levels

General Information

The Dwarf (Spottedsail) Barb (Pethia phutunio, long traded as Puntius phutunio) is a tiny, peaceful schooling cyprinid native to South Asia (Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar). Adults are usually only 2.5–3.5 cm (≈1–1.4″) with a wild-record maximum of ~3.9 cm TL. Keep in groups (≥8–10) for confidence, natural shoaling and better coloration.

Food and Feeding

An omnivorous micro-predator. Offer quality flakes or micro-granules as the staple; rotate small live or frozen foods—brine shrimp nauplii, daphnia, cyclops, microworms. Feed tiny portions 1–2× daily so everything is eaten in minutes.

Sexing

Males are slimmer with slightly stronger fin tints; females are fuller-bodied when gravid. Juveniles are difficult to sex.

Breeding

Egg-scattering spawner with no parental care. Use a separate, dimly lit tank with fine-leaved plants or spawning mops. Spawning often happens near dawn among surface plants; eggs typically hatch in ~24–48 h. Remove adults post-spawn; start fry on infusoria, then newly hatched brine shrimp.

Lifespan

Commonly 3–5 years with clean, stable water; smaller cyprinids trend shorter-lived when kept warm year-round.

Tank Requirements & Water Parameters

• Footprint: length and planting matter more than height; even small groups benefit from 60 cm/24″ tanks for stable water and natural schooling.
• Water: pH 6.0–7.2, hardness ~4–12 °dH, temperature 22–26 °C.
• Layout: dark substrate, dense planting with some floating cover for subdued light; gentle flow; fine-pore filtration.
• Maintenance: small, regular water changes; avoid abrupt parameter swings.

Compatibility & Tank Mates

Peaceful and timid. Best with other small, calm species (tiny rasboras/tetras, Corydoras pygmaeus/habrosus, small gouramis). Keep in a proper shoal to prevent nervous nipping; avoid large/boisterous fish and very long-finned slow species.

Behaviour & Usual Place in the Tank

Middle levels: a classic mid-water shoaler that moves through plant thickets and open lanes; will venture up during feeding.

Short Description

Dwarf/Spottedsail Barb (Pethia phutunio) is a tiny South Asian barb, ideal for peaceful, planted aquaria. Keep in groups, feed varied small foods, and provide soft-neutral, stable water with shaded areas.

Q&A

• South or East Asia? South Asia: Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar.
• How big, really? Typically 2.5–3.5 cm; wild max ~3.9 cm TL—much smaller than many barbs.
• Fin-nipper? Generally gentle; any nipping is usually stress/under-stocking related—keep larger groups and provide cover.

Picture

Bought by aqua-fish.net from jjphoto.dk.