Gold Clown Barb
Gold Clown Barb (Pethia gelius), also known as the Golden Dwarf Barb, is a small and peaceful barb with a warm golden-yellow body scattered with small irregular dark spots — a cheerful, clown-like pattern that gives the fish its common name. A genuinely nano-friendly barb that works well in planted community setups where larger barbs would be too boisterous.
Feeding & Care Tip: Hikari Micro Pellets (soak briefly) and Sera Vipan Baby make excellent daily staples. Supplement 2–3× per week with Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Baby Brine Shrimp or Hikari Vibra Bites. Feed small amounts 2–3 times daily.
Native to slow-moving, heavily vegetated waters of India and Bangladesh — the Ganges and Brahmaputra drainages. Inhabits rice paddies, ponds, ditches, and slow stream margins with dense aquatic vegetation. A very adaptable species tolerant of varied water conditions.
Keep in groups of at least six. Peaceful and entirely suitable for planted community tanks with other small, non-aggressive species. Its small size makes it an excellent companion for cherry barbs, small rasboras, and other nano community fish.
Egg-scatterer. The Gold Clown Barb is a charming and overlooked nano barb — its golden body with dark spots, peaceful nature, and adaptability make it a reliable and attractive choice for smaller community aquariums.
Care & Ideal Parameters
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Temperament | Peaceful — community |
| Typical Adult Size | 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) |
| Min. Group Size | 6 minimum |
| Ideal Temp | 64–77°F (18–25°C) |
| Ideal pH | 6.0–7.5 |
| Ideal GH | 2–15 dGH |
| Ideal KH | 1–8 dKH |
| Staple Food | Hikari Micro Pellets (crushed/soaked); Sera Vipan Baby |
| Treat / Supplement | Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Baby Brine Shrimp; Hikari Vibra Bites |
| Origin | India and Bangladesh (Ganges and Brahmaputra drainages) |
| Notes | Also called Golden Dwarf Barb. Golden body with dark scattered spots. Peaceful nano barb. Adaptable to wide range of conditions. |
