How to Care for a Gold Barb

A gold barb is a type of small freshwater tropical fish with origins in Asia. It is a member of the minnow family and is either metallic green or yellow in color. Gold barbs can live between four to six years and are typically less than 2 inches long. These are social fish and should be kept in groups that contain five or more of the same type of fish.

Things You'll Need

  • 12-gallon fish tank or larger
  • Water treatment chemicals for freshwater tank
  • Fish food
  • Aquatic plants
  • Tank accessories and decorations as desired
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Instructions

    • 1

      Set up your fish tank to accommodate your new gold barbs. Your tank should have a 12-gallon capacity or larger to accommodate the barbs as they grow. Remember that the more fish you have, the larger your tank will need to be. The general rule of thumb for keeping fish in a tank is that you need 1 gallon of water for every inch of fish you have. It is generally a smart idea to buy your tank a little on the larger side so that your fish will not outgrow it.

    • 2

      Adjust the chemicals and temperature of your water so that your gold barbs can thrive. Gold barbs are hardy fish and can survive in water with a pH level between 6 and 8. The ideal pH for a gold barb is approximately 6.8. Treat the water in the tank for both ammonia and bacteria before putting your fish in the tank the first time. The water temperature in your tank should be between 64 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

    • 3

      Add plants and other tank accessories to give your gold barbs places to hide in and swim through. Plants should be placed toward the sides and back of the aquarium. Live and fake plants are both adequate for providing the gold barb with a natural type of habitat.

    • 4

      Feed your gold barb a varied diet. Gold barbs are omnivores and do best with a diet that consists of a basic tropical fish flake food that is supplemented with live or frozen worms as well as small pieces of boiled vegetables. You should feed only as much food as the fish will eat. It can be difficult to determine how much food to feed your fish, because it will depend on the number of fish you have, the size of the individuals and what food items you are giving the fish. Feeding flakes once per day with regular supplementation will provide adequate nutrition for your fish. If there is food remaining in the tank after the fish have finished feeding, you should reduce the amount of food you are providing.

    • 5

      Clean your aquarium as needed. Your fish will not stay healthy if you do not maintain the proper water quality, oxygenation, bacteria levels and pH levels in the tank at all times. You should clean your tank weekly, including changing out 10 to 15 percent of the water, scraping decorations and the walls of the tank with an algae scraper and cleaning the filter. If you have a gravel filter, you will also need to clean the gravel. Fish should generally not be removed during cleaning unless you are performing a full water change. Do not use soap or cleaning chemicals in your tank, as they can be toxic for the fish and harm the beneficial bacteria in the tank.