How to Breed Golden Barb

Golden or gold barbs are small, peaceful freshwater fish that add a splash of color to any aquarium. These fish grow to about 3 inches long and can be housed with other peaceful fish, making them a good choice for a community aquarium. Golden barbs are also active and are entertaining to watch. Golden barbs breed readily, either in a community aquarium or a separate breeding aquarium. However, because they don't care for their young, it's often best to choose the breeding aquarium method in order to ensure a higher number of young fish.

Things You'll Need

  • Three aquariums: one for males, one for females and one for breeding
  • Live fish foods
  • Soft aquatic plants
  • Water testing kit
  • Water pH additives
  • Aquarium heating or cooling system
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Instructions

    • 1

      Separate the male and female golden barbs, placing the males in one aquarium and the females in another.

    • 2

      Feed the golden barbs a diet of live foods, such as brine shrimp. This is a highly nutritious diet that will encourage spawning. This separation and feeding technique is known as conditioning. In a week or two, the females will become plumper, while the males will become more brightly colored. The males will also display bright red or orange markings on their fronts. These signs will tell you the fish are ready to breed.

    • 3

      Set up the separate breeding aquarium for the golden barbs. This aquarium should be about 1 foot long, 1 foot wide, and 1 foot tall.

    • 4

      Place the breeding aquarium in a dimly lit room. Golden barbs prefer dim lighting, which mimics their natural habitat. This is especially true when breeding. However, make sure there is a light source. Golden barbs lay their eggs with the rising of the sun. Therefore, a natural light source is best.

    • 5

      Place several soft aquatic plants at the bottom of the aquarium. The golden barbs will use these plants as a place to lay their eggs.

    • 6

      Adjust the pH level and temperature of the water so that it is correct for breeding. Use a water testing kit and water additives to adjust pH. Adjust the temperature using an aquarium heating or cooling system. During other times, golden barbs can tolerate a very wide range of temperature and pH levels. However, for breeding, it's best for the pH level to be between six and eight, with a temperature right around 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

    • 7

      Place one male, displaying breeding colors, and one plump female in the breeding aquarium. Because the male is displaying the correct colors, and the female has plumped, or filled with eggs, you know the pair is ready to breed. When placed together, breeding should happen within a day or two. The pair will breed with the rising of the sun. Use natural lighting or turn on a soft light to achieve this effect. The golden barbs will lay about 100 eggs. The eggs hatch within a day or two.

    • 8

      Remove the parent fish from the aquarium after breeding. These fish will sometimes eat their own eggs or young.