Golden Barb Sri Lanka

Puntius bimaculatus, the Two-spot or Redside Barb, is endemic to Sri Lanka and represents the island's rich cyprinid fauna at its most accessible. The body shimmers with warm golden-orange colouration, particularly vivid in well-conditioned males, and bears two well-defined dark spots — one on the shoulder and one at the caudal peduncle — that give the species its common and scientific name. It is found in slow-flowing and standing waters across the wet and intermediate zones of Sri Lanka.

In the aquarium it is an excellent community fish — small, active, peaceable, and striking. It appreciates a planted setup with open midwater areas and mixes well with other South Asian or Sri Lankan species. Clean, slightly soft water and a varied diet bring out the best colour in males. It is a schooling species and should be maintained in groups of eight or more.

Breeding is straightforward and typical of smaller Puntius: eggs are scattered over fine-leaved plants and adults must be removed to prevent predation. Fry are small but easy to raise on commercial first foods.

Water: 23–28 °C, pH 6.0–7.5, soft to moderately hard; regular small water changes. Tank: 80 L minimum; planted with open swimming space; dark substrate enhances colour. Feeding: Omnivore; flake, micro-pellets, Daphnia, brine shrimp, spirulina flake. Breeding: Egg-scatter over plants; remove adults; fry easy to raise. Compatibility: Ideal community fish; peaceful with all South Asian and Sri Lankan species.