Puntius titteya
20 gallons (75-80 litres) is highly recommended for swimming space, though a group can survive in a 10-gallon long tank.
Temperature: 22°C to 27°C (72°F and 81°F )
pH: 6.0 and 8.0
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0-20
Kh: 5-20
Perform regular water changes to prevent the build-up of harmful toxins like ammonia, nitrite, and nitrates.
Provide a heavily planted tank with plenty of open swimming space. Use a dark substrate and dark background to bring out their crimson colouration. Include natural decor like driftwood, Java Moss, or rocks to shelter these naturally skittish fish.
Feed high-quality tropical flake food or micro pellets daily. Offer live or freeze-dried foods like brine shrimp, bloodworms, daphnia, or micro worms to improve colour health. Feed once or twice daily, serving only what they can entirely consume in under 2 minutes.
Keep a minimum group of 6 to safely prevent extreme shyness and encourage natural schooling activity. Pair with peaceful, similar-sized fish like neon tetras, danios, cory catfish, and dwarf plecos. Avoid larger predatory fish or slow, long-finned species, as barbs can occasionally nip fins if stressed or under-shoaled.