This is one of the larger barbs which attain a length of 4-5 inch. It is a very attractive species with a yellow-pink body marked with a number of blue-grey blotches and triangular patches. The fins have a decided reddish hue.

Sexes could be determined by the much more striking colour of the male, and also the deeper body of the female. They spawn in the exact same manner as other barbs, but they don’t breed readily, in reality they’re most challenging. It is essential to use a big aquarium, and offer artificial aeration-raise the temperature to about 80° F, and condition initial for a couple of weeks by separating the sexes and feeding live foods.

One of the hardiest of the barbs, the rosy barb has the typical big mirror-like scales which are doubly enhanced at breeding time. The body of the male develops a flush of bronze, which makes him a handsome fellow indeed.

Other characteristic markings of the rosy barb are a black spot near the tail edged with pale orange, and slightly dark edging to the ventral and anal fins. The flush of colour is very volatile, and nearly visibly melts away after spawning.

A fully grown rosy barb reaches a length of three.5 inch. The male is generally slightly smaller than the female. Sexing is simple at breeding time simply because of the colour of the male and also the fuller body of the female.

The rosy barb breeds at a temperature of 80°F according to the standard description.

The body of this species is shiny silver, darkening to an olive along the back. It is marked by two narrow stripes; one extending along the length of the body from the gill cover to the root of the tail, the other edges the body along the base of the anal fin. The fins are hyaline.

The pectoral fins are well developed into wing like appendages, which enable the fish to skim the water surface and virtually ‘take off’ on a short flight. When viewed from the side, the belly is exceedingly deep, yet head-on they’re very thin creatures. Adults attain a length of 2.25 inch.

Hatchet fish aren’t bottom feeders, but they’ll accept food floating on or near the surface. They’re carnivorous, and should not be given dried foods.

Even though interesting small creatures, they don’t live very long and, to the very best knowledge of the author, have not been bred successfully in aquaria.

The body shape of marbled hatchet fish is comparable to Gasteropelecus levisy but the fish are just a little smaller. The average size attained by adults is about 1.75 inch.

The body is silver, darkening to olive on the back, and overlaid with a dark ‘marbling’ pattern. These markings run diagonally forward across the fish from below the dorsal fin.

The marbled hatchet fish have been bred in captivity. They need a temperature in the region of 83° F and lots of floating plants, like duckweed and Riccia. The adhesive eggs are scattered among the plants. Sexing is challenging; there are no obvious differences except that the female has a wider body.

Marbled Hatchet Fish consumes dry foods, but live foods should be given often.