A hardy, active, and peaceful schooling cyprinid originally from the Red River basin in Asia. While the wild form is a metallic green/silver, a highly popular selectively bred yellow morph (the 'Gold Barb') dominates the aquarium trade. They are distinctly subtropical and thrive in unheated or cooler water setups.
Chinese Barb (Green Barb) At a Glance
Chinese Barb (Green Barb) Tank Requirements
Will Chinese Barb (Green Barb) fit in your tank?
Care guides tell you what Chinese Barb (Green Barb) needs, the next question is whether your tank can safely provide it. Test Chinese Barb (Green Barb) against your tank size, maintenance needs, and the fish you already keep before you buy.
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Chinese Barb (Green Barb) Water Parameters
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Chinese Barb (Green Barb) Temperament & Compatibility
Chinese Barb (Green Barb) Varieties
Each variety inherits the species defaults above. Only differences are highlighted.
Standard / Wild Type (Green Barb)
The wild-type coloration of the species, featuring a greenish-silver/metallic body with irregular dark vertical bars and spotting.
Differs in 1 trait from base species
Also known as: Chinese Barb, Green Barb
Gold Barb
A ubiquitous and highly popular color morph developed by Thomas Schubert in the 1960s. Features a vibrant golden-yellow body with dark horizontal spotting. Care is identical to the wild type.
Differs in 1 trait from base species
Also known as: Gold Barb, Schubert's Barb, Golden Barb
Chinese Barb (Green Barb) Care Guide Summary
The Chinese Barb (Green Barb), scientifically known as Puntius semifasciolatus, belongs to the Cyprinids family group. Adults reach a maximum size of approximately 7.5 cm and have a fusiform body shape with a moderate growth rate. Classified as peaceful, this species primarily occupies the mid-level and bottom zones of the aquarium and produces a medium level of biological waste.
To thrive, the Chinese Barb (Green Barb) requires a freshwater only aquarium with a minimum volume of 75 litres and a tank length of at least 80 cm. Water temperature should be maintained between 16°C and 26°C, with a pH range of 6–8 and a general hardness of 2–15 dGH. A moderate water flow is preferred.
The Chinese Barb (Green Barb) is a rewarding species to keep, provided its core environmental needs are met. This species is available in 2 varieties: Standard / Wild Type (Green Barb) and Gold Barb. Each may differ slightly in size, temperament, or care needs, so it is worth checking the specific requirements of the variety you plan to keep.
Chinese Barb (Green Barb) Habitat Setup
When setting up an aquarium for the Chinese Barb (Green Barb), a moderate water flow best suits their natural preferences. Because this species occupies the mid-level and bottom zones, the aquarium layout should prioritise open swimming space in the centre of the tank for free movement and sufficient floor space with hiding spots among rocks, wood, or dense planting. Useful additions include dense planting to provide cover, break sightlines, and reduce stress.
Chinese Barb (Green Barb) Compatibility Notes
Classified as peaceful, the Chinese Barb (Green Barb) is a schooling species that feels most secure in a sizeable group, where natural shoaling behaviour reduces stress and brings out their best colours. When choosing tankmates, shy or slow-feeding tankmates may be outcompeted at feeding time and their energetic swimming style may stress more sedentary or timid species. Selecting tankmates that favour different water layers from the mid-level and bottom zones can help reduce competition and territorial overlap.
Chinese Barb (Green Barb) Recommended Tank Sizes
Standard aquarium sizes that meet the minimum volume and length requirements for Chinese Barb (Green Barb).
30 Gallon Breeder
40 Gallon Breeder
55 Gallon Standard
60 Gallon Breeder
75 Gallon Standard
90 Gallon Standard
Show 12 more tank sizes
Chinese Barb (Green Barb) Feeding & Diet Considerations
The Chinese Barb (Green Barb) will eat fry, so breeding efforts in the same tank are unlikely to succeed and is an aggressive eater that may prevent timid tankmates from getting enough food, so target feeding or simultaneous feeding at opposite ends of the tank can help.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Chinese Barb (Green Barb)
How big does Chinese Barb (Green Barb) get?
Chinese Barb (Green Barb) (Puntius semifasciolatus) typically reaches a maximum adult size of approximately 7.5 cm. They have a fusiform body shape and a moderate growth rate.
What tank size does Chinese Barb (Green Barb) need?
A minimum aquarium volume of 75 litres and a tank length of at least 80 cm are recommended for Chinese Barb (Green Barb). This ensures enough swimming space and helps maintain stable water conditions.
What water parameters does Chinese Barb (Green Barb) need?
Chinese Barb (Green Barb) thrives in freshwater only conditions with a temperature range of 16–26°C, a pH between 6 and 8, and a general hardness of 2–15 dGH. A moderate water flow is preferred.
Is Chinese Barb (Green Barb) peaceful or aggressive?
Chinese Barb (Green Barb) is classified as peaceful with an aggression score of 2 out of 10. They are generally well-suited to peaceful community tanks.
How many Chinese Barb (Green Barb) should be kept together?
Chinese Barb (Green Barb) is a schooling species and should be kept in groups of at least 6. Larger groups help distribute aggression and encourage natural schooling behaviour.
Does Chinese Barb (Green Barb) have any special tank requirements?
Yes. Chinese Barb (Green Barb) benefits from plants - densely covered in the aquarium. These features help replicate their natural habitat and promote overall health and well-being.
Top Tank Mates for Chinese Barb (Green Barb)
These fish are strong compatibility matches for Chinese Barb (Green Barb) based on water preferences, temperament, adult size, and tank behavior.
Celebes Halfbeak
Nomorhamphus liemi
Ideal Tank MatesWrestling Halfbeak
Dermogenys pusilla
Ideal Tank MatesJapanese Ricefish (Medaka)
Oryzias latipes
Ideal Tank MatesDainty Cory (Salt and Pepper Cory)
Corydoras habrosus
Ideal Tank MatesMacCulloch's Rainbowfish (Dwarf Rainbowfish)
Melanotaenia maccullochi
Ideal Tank MatesExquisite Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia exquisita
Ideal Tank MatesPlants That Suit Chinese Barb (Green Barb)
These plants pair well with Chinese Barb (Green Barb) based on shared water preferences, layout fit, and how likely they are to hold up in the same aquarium.
Afzel's Anubias
Anubias afzelii
Amazon Sword
Echinodorus amazonicus
Anacharis
Egeria densa
Anubias Barteri
Anubias barteri
Baby Tears
Lindernia rotundifolia
Balansae
Cryptocoryne crispatula
Fish Similar to Chinese Barb (Green Barb)
Gold Barb
Barbodes semifasciolatus
A highly active, peaceful schooling fish. The common 'Gold' variant is a captive-bred color morph (Schuberti) of the wild Green Barb. They are remarkably hardy and prefer slightly cooler sub-tropical water, making them excellent candidates for unheated indoor aquariums.
Cherry Barb
Puntius titteya
A peaceful, schooling cyprinid endemic to the shaded streams of Sri Lanka. Unlike many of its barb cousins, the Cherry Barb is not a fin-nipper and makes an excellent community fish. They thrive in heavily planted aquariums with subdued lighting and leaf litter. Males display a striking cherry-red color, especially during spawning.
Rosy Barb
Pethia conchonius
A hardy, active, and colorful subtropical schooling fish. Known for the male's striking rosy-red breeding dress, while females are more golden/silver. They are voracious eaters, very active swimmers, and can be fin-nippers if kept in too small a group. Best kept in cooler water compared to tropical species. The Long Finned morph is also popular but requires gentler flow.
Tiger Barb
Puntigrus tetrazona
A highly active, schooling cyprinid famous for its striking black stripes and infamous reputation as a fin-nipper. They are boisterous and must be kept in larger groups (6+) to keep their pecking order internal. They should never be housed with slow-moving or long-finned tankmates like Bettas, Guppies, or Angelfish.
Denison Barb (Roseline Shark)
Sahyadria denisonii
An endangered, stunningly colored cyprinid endemic to the fast-flowing streams of the Western Ghats in India. Characterized by a torpedo-shaped body with a striking red line and black stripe. They are highly active, fast swimmers that require highly oxygenated water, strong flow, and cooler tropical temperatures. They are strictly shoaling fish and can be skittish if kept in small numbers.
Black Ruby Barb
Pethia nigrofasciata
An active, schooling cyprinid endemic to the shaded forest streams of Sri Lanka. They are peaceful but highly energetic, making excellent community fish for cooler tropical setups. Unlike the notorious Tiger Barb, Black Rubies are generally peaceful and rarely nip fins, provided they are kept in a proper shoal of at least 6. Their deep colors emerge best in heavily planted, slightly dim environments.