How big does Denison Barb get?

Denison Barb reaches an adult standard length of 10–15 cm (excluding the caudal fin). Size the tank for that, not for the juvenile you bring home — the difference is often several times over, and upgrading later costs more than buying once.

What water does Denison Barb need?

15–25 °C, pH 6.5–7.8, 5–15 dGH. At 10 °C wide it is one of the more forgiving ranges.

What is the smallest tank for Denison Barb?

At least 200 L, and no shorter than 120 cm. That is the floor for long-term keeping, not for short-term survival: volume buys water stability and length buys swimming room, and neither substitutes for the other. It is a schooling fish: keep at least 6 together. Fewer than that and it hides, loses colour, and aggression has nowhere to spread.

What is Denison Barb like to keep?

Temperament: peaceful. Difficulty: moderate. It occupies the middle and is omnivore. With plants it is "Leaves plants alone".

G-01 / 17Freshwater

Denison Barb一眉道人

Sahyadria denisonii · Cyprinidae

A large barb with a black lateral stripe and red brow that demands strong flow and cool water.

Illustration to come

G-01 / 17 · Denison Barb Sahyadria denisonii

SpecificationsFish atlas

Name: 一眉道人
Scientific name: Sahyadria denisonii
Family: Cyprinidae
Origin: Hill streams of the Western Ghats, India
Adult size: 10–15 cm
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Omnivore
Water level: Middle
Level: Moderate
School size: ≥ 6
Min. tank: 200 L
Min. length: 120 cm
Plant safe: Leaves plants alone

Water requirementsFreshwater

Temp.15–25 °C

pH6.5–7.8

Hardness5–15 dGH

Units: temperature in °C, hardness in German degrees (dGH / dKH), marine salinity as specific gravity at 25 °C, volume in litres. These are the values recorded for the species and do not follow the site unit switcher.

Keeping notes

1Needs strong current and high oxygen: aim for 15-20 tank turnovers per hour.
2Prefers cool water at 15-24 °C; sustained 28 °C clearly shortens its life.
3At 15 cm and very fast, it dashes into the glass in tanks shorter than 120 cm.
4Keep six or more; omnivorous on flakes and brine shrimp.

Frequently asked questions

How big does Denison Barb get?: Denison Barb reaches an adult standard length of 10–15 cm (excluding the caudal fin). Size the tank for that, not for the juvenile you bring home — the difference is often several times over, and upgrading later costs more than buying once.
What water does Denison Barb need?: 15–25 °C, pH 6.5–7.8, 5–15 dGH. At 10 °C wide it is one of the more forgiving ranges.
What is the smallest tank for Denison Barb?: At least 200 L, and no shorter than 120 cm. That is the floor for long-term keeping, not for short-term survival: volume buys water stability and length buys swimming room, and neither substitutes for the other. It is a schooling fish: keep at least 6 together. Fewer than that and it hides, loses colour, and aggression has nowhere to spread.
What is Denison Barb like to keep?: Temperament: peaceful. Difficulty: moderate. It occupies the middle and is omnivore. With plants it is "Leaves plants alone".