Gold Barb

Barbodes semifasciolatus

Also known as: Chinese barb, Schubert's barb, Half-striped barb

Water Parameters

• Temperature: 18–25°C
• pH: 6–8
• Hardness (GH): 71–322 ppm (4–18 dGH)

Values above are general hardness (GH). For carbonate hardness (KH), the buffer that keeps pH stable, see the water parameters guide.

Care Summary

A hardy, golden-bodied schooling barb that has been in the hobby for over a century, most often sold in the bright xanthic 'Schubert's' form rather than its wild greenish colour. Peaceful, undemanding, and notably tolerant of cool water, it fills a useful niche as an active, colourful schooler for unheated or subtropical tanks where many tropical community fish would struggle. Males develop a warm red-orange flush along the belly when in good condition and competing for females. Like all barbs it is happiest and best-behaved in a proper school, and unlike most barbs it can be trusted in a peaceful community. A genuinely good, slightly old-fashioned choice that deserves more attention than the ubiquitous tiger barb.

Tankmates

One of the most peaceful barbs and a genuine community fish, in clear contrast to the tiger barb. Best in a group of six or more, where any mild fin-nipping tendency is redirected into the school rather than at tankmates; small groups are more likely to bother long-finned fish. A subtropical species that is comfortable at room temperature, which makes it an excellent choice for an unheated or lightly-heated tank in cooler Australian homes, alongside white cloud mountain minnows, danios, and other cool-water community fish. Avoid pairing with species that need consistently warm water, such as german blue rams or discus. Active and constantly grazing, and harmless to anything it cannot swallow.

Compatible with

• White Cloud Mountain Minnow
• Zebra Danio
• Rosy Barb
• Cherry Barb
• Bronze Corydoras
• Bristlenose Pleco
• Siamese Algae Eater
• Buenos Aires Tetra
• Bloodfin Tetra

Avoid keeping with

• Betta
• Long Finned Species
• German Blue Ram

Common Problems

• mild fin nipping in groups smaller than 6
• colour loss in bare or brightly-lit tanks
• stress when kept too warm long-term
• ich

Sources: seriouslyfish.com, fishbase.org · Last updated: 2026-06-20