Gold Roseline Shark
Gold Roseline Shark
Gold Roseline Shark (Sahyadria denisonii) is a captive-developed color morph of the Roseline Shark — the same spectacular torpedo-shaped barb endemic to the Western Ghats of India, expressed in a golden to yellow-gold body coloration rather than the standard silver. The red stripe and black lateral line are retained, creating a warm-toned version of one of the most beautiful freshwater fish available. The gold color morph is exceptionally rare — believed to be extinct in the wild, surviving only in aquarium collections.
Feeding & Care Tip: Sera Vipan Tropical Flakes and Hikari Micro Pellets make excellent daily staples. Supplement with Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Bloodworms, Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Baby Brine Shrimp, and Hikari Vibra Bites 2–3 times per week.
The gold color morph of S. denisonii was found in specific hill stream populations of the Western Ghats and is now considered extinct in the wild. The gold form exists today only through dedicated aquarium breeding programs. All other care requirements are identical to the standard Roseline Shark — hill stream conditions with high oxygenation, cooler temperatures, and strong flow.
Keep in groups of at least 6. The gold body makes the red stripe appear even more vivid by contrast — the warm gold and vivid red combination is striking and quite distinct from the silver-and-red standard form. Can be mixed with standard Roseline Sharks for a visually spectacular two-tone school.
A genuinely rare fish — the gold form's wild extinction makes aquarium specimens the sole repository of this color form. Keeping and breeding Gold Roseline Barbs is a meaningful conservation act.
Care & Ideal Parameters
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Temperament | Peaceful — active schooling; needs flow and oxygenation |
| Typical Adult Size | 5.0 inches (12.5 cm) |
| Min. Group Size | 6 minimum |
| Ideal Temp | 60–77°F (15–25°C) |
| Ideal pH | 6.5–7.8 |
| Ideal GH | 5–15 dGH |
| Ideal KH | 2–8 dKH |
| Staple Food | Sera Vipan Tropical Flakes; Hikari Micro Pellets |
| Treat / Supplement | Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Bloodworms; Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Baby Brine Shrimp; Hikari Vibra Bites |
| Origin | Western Ghats, Kerala and Karnataka, India (gold morph believed extinct in wild) |
| Notes | Gold color morph of S. denisonii — same species as Roseline Shark. Gold morph believed extinct in wild — survives only in aquarium collections. Red stripe and black lateral line retained on gold body. Mix with standard Roseline Sharks for two-tone school. Conservation significance. |
