Gold barbs, also known as Schuberti barbs (though several other types may be labeled as gold barbs) are bright yellow-gold freshwater fish that are among the most popular barbs. The gold barb originated in China, and is a more colorful strain of the olive green Chinese barb. Gold barbs are attractive, hardy fish that make excellent stock for beginner aquarists. Their coloring ensures that they stand out in any tank, and their lively habits make a school of gold barbs a top choice for a wide range of community tank types.
Basic Requirements
Barbs prefer water that stays about 70-77 degrees Fahrenheit, though most are not particularly picky about their parameters. Gold barbs grow to about 3" long from tip to tail. They are schooling fish, so you should have a bare minimum of three gold barbs in your tank, though five or more will create a much more attractive and active school.
Because of their adult size and bold, often territorial temperament, gold barbs should have about three gallons per fish. This means that a school of five gold barbs should be kept in no less than a 15G tank. Decorations are fine, but make sure that they still have plenty of open swim space as well as "caves" where they can hide.
Feeding
Gold barbs, just like any freshwater aquarium fish, need a variety of food to stay at peak health. A healthy, well-fed fish will have more vibrant color, move more, and live longer than a fish kept on off-the-shelf flakes alone. As with most barbs, the gold barb is an easy keeper in terms of food, too. They love just about any flake food, as well as brine shrimp, mosquito larva, micro worms, grindal worms, moina and more. Gold barbs will also happily chow down on algae wafers, shrimp pellets and freeze-dried worms. Come to think of it -- they'll eat pretty much anything that they can get into their mouths, including live aquarium plants.
