Golden Dwarf Barb
Golden Dwarf Barb (Pethia gelius), also sold as the Gold Clown Barb, is a small and peaceful barb with a warm golden-yellow body decorated with small irregular dark spots. At 1.5 inches it is one of the smaller barbs available — genuinely nano-friendly and peaceful, suitable for planted community setups where larger barbs would be inappropriate.
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. A very adaptable species tolerant of a wide range of water conditions, from rice paddies to slow stream margins.
Keep in groups of at least six. Peaceful and suitable for planted community tanks with other small, non-aggressive species. An excellent companion for cherry barbs, small rasboras, and nano community fish.
Egg-scatterer. The Golden Dwarf Barb is a charming, reliable, and underappreciated nano barb — its golden color, peaceful nature, and wide adaptability make it an excellent choice for smaller planted 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 | Same species as Gold Clown Barb (Pethia gelius). Golden body with dark spots. Peaceful nano barb. Adaptable to wide range of conditions. |
