Black Ruby Barbs?

[Shyris]

Hello all,
So, I've got sime questions about Puntius nigrofasciatus. I've seen them called both Black Ruby Barbs and Purplehead Barbs. But I can't really find out any real good information on them.

Does anyone have any experience with them? I'm going to be doing some revamping on my tank soon, and am looking to find something that will survive my Tiger Barbs when they grow up. Do they fit that bill?

Right now they're tiny and docile enough to even leave my Betta be. But I know thats going to change soon, and have her tank pretty much set-up.

If the Rubys were to work, how many would you reccomend? I've heard that the standard 1:4 male to female ratio is good, but haven't really been able to find much more than that.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

[spkehl]

I have several in my 125 gallon barb tank. They don't seem to be as aggressive as tiger barbs. I would recommend 6 or more if you have the room. They will swim with the tiger barbs.

I think you will want to do more males than the standard 1:4 ratio. The males are the ones that get the beautiful red face when they are showing off for the females.

[Shyris]

So the two barbs will get along all right? I'd hate for my Tigers to harass them.

Also, the reason I'd heard about that ratio is to keep the males from getting terribly aggressive. What do you think your ratio is? I know that it's the males who have the great coloration, I just don't want to get too many and have them bother the females 24/7.

[genocidex]

i have 2 of them as an acciendtal buy. Hey school with my tigers nicely and can hold thier own agaisnt their aggression. As for them being less aggressive, id say a little bit... I would keep a decent male to female ratio. 1:3 at least

[spkehl]

I think I have a 1:1 ratio, but I have so many different types of barbs in the tank and they school together. I really don't have problems with aggression. It is by far my wife's favorite tank. She likes the fact that the barbs are always in motion.

Just the barbs in the tank:
Tiger Barbs
Albino Tiger Barbs
Green Tiger Barbs
Platinum Green Tiger Barbs
Odessa Barbs
Cherry Barb
Long Fin Rosy Barbs
Denison Barbs
Gold Barbs

[Shyris]

@genocidex
Okay, so the Rubys aren't terribly less aggressive than the Tigers. I'd come across something that had said they were. Ergo the concern about them being beaten senseless by my Tigers. Thanks for the info.

@spkehl
I can see where she would love that tank. Barbs are generally some of my favorite fish. Glad to see they can get along at least with their own kind.

[zed]

i think you will find most barbs will be able to hold up to tiger barbs. not only do i have tiger barbs in my 75 gallon, but gold, cherry, spanner, clown, aurulius, rosy, odessa, panda, and black ruby barbs all swimming happy in one tank. i plan on getting a 120 soon. tigers do better in schools of at least seven. they seem to focus their aggression on each other this way. you will notice a hierarchy with in this school. usually one male seems to rule the rest of the school, occasionally a squabble breaks out among mine, usually between males, but it doesn't seem to last too long and afterwards the tiger barbs all fall in line. i think most barbs are well suited for one another. but keep in mind with tiger barbs they should be kept in schools of 6 or 7.

[ScottishFish]

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