{"product_id":"mascara-barb-assimilis","title":"Mascara Barb","description":"\u003ch2 style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:1.4em;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:0.08em;color:#0a2a3a;border-bottom:2px solid #3a7ca5;padding-bottom:8px;margin-bottom:18px;text-transform:uppercase;\"\u003eMascara Barb\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:1.05em;line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:16px;color:#2c2c2c;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMascara Barb\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eDawkinsia assimilis\u003c\/em\u003e) is a large and striking barb from the Western Ghats of India. The body displays a warm silver-orange tone with a distinctive bold dark marking behind the eye — the 'mascara' marking that gives this fish its name. A bold black spot at the base of the dorsal fin and red-orange fin coloration complete a fish of considerable visual presence.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:1.05em;line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:16px;background-color:#e0f0f8;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;padding:14px 18px;color:#0a2a3a;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding \u0026amp; Care Tip:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eHikari Micro Pellets\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eSera Vipan Tropical Flakes\u003c\/strong\u003e make excellent daily staples. Supplement 2–3× per week with \u003cstrong\u003eHikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Bloodworms\u003c\/strong\u003e or \u003cstrong\u003eHikari Vibra Bites\u003c\/strong\u003e. \u003cstrong\u003eHikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Baby Brine Shrimp\u003c\/strong\u003e are a good additional treat. Feed 2–3 times daily.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:1.05em;line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:16px;color:#2c2c2c;\"\u003eNative to the rivers and streams of the Western Ghats in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, southwestern India — a region of extraordinary freshwater biodiversity. \u003cem\u003eDawkinsia assimilis\u003c\/em\u003e is one of several similar-looking Dawkinsia species from this region, distinguished by specific fin ray counts and coloration details. Inhabits moderately flowing clear streams with rocky substrate.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:1.05em;line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:16px;color:#2c2c2c;\"\u003eKeep in groups of at least six. Active, robust, and peaceful with other large, non-aggressive species. A spacious aquarium of at least 4 feet allows this active barb to swim freely and display its full coloration. Good filtration and regular water changes important.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:1.05em;line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:24px;color:#2c2c2c;\"\u003eEgg-scatterer. The Mascara Barb is an impressive and underappreciated large barb — its bold eye marking, warm body color, and active schooling behavior make it a natural centerpiece in a large planted community aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3 style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:0.1em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#0a2a3a;border-top:1px solid #b0d0e8;padding-top:18px;margin-bottom:14px;\"\u003eCare \u0026amp; Ideal Parameters\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ctable style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:0.92em;\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eEasy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003ePeaceful — community\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eTypical Adult Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003e4.5 inches (11 cm)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eMin. Group Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003e6 minimum — needs a tank of at least 4 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eIdeal Temp\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003e72–82°F (22–28°C)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eIdeal pH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003e6.5–7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eIdeal GH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003e4–15 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eIdeal KH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003e2–8 dKH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eStaple Food\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eHikari Micro Pellets; Sera Vipan Tropical Flakes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eTreat \/ Supplement\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eHikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Bloodworms; Hikari Vibra Bites; Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Baby Brine Shrimp\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#e0f0f8;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eWestern Ghats, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, southwestern India\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#0a2a3a;font-weight:600;width:38%;border:1px solid #b0d0e8; vertical-align:top;\"\u003eNotes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:9px 14px;background-color:#ffffff;color:#2c2c2c;border:1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eDawkinsia assimilis — distinct from Dawkinsia apsara (Apsara Barb). Bold dark 'mascara' eye marking. Large species — 4-foot tank needed. Western Ghats endemic.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Cuboid Nature Aquarium","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52444556853559,"sku":"Dawkinsia assimilis","price":19.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/cuboidstore.com\/products\/mascara-barb-assimilis","provider":"Cuboid Aquatics LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}