Above: The picture above shows a mature premium quality Mascara Barb, swimming in one of our aquariums, when one of us took this picture.
This is a very hardy fish.
Comments: This is a Premium Pet Fish, and we never see Barbs like these in any of the live fish stores or in the online stores that we visit.
Premium Pet Fish are more energetic, hardier, and have brighter colors with a beautiful metallic sheen.
Click here to learn more about Premium Pet Fish.
Origin: Their ancestors originally lived in Southwest India, but now Mascara Barbs live in aquariums throughout most of the world.
Maximum Size: In aquariums the Barb can grow to be about 4.5" long, including their tails, which is a nice size for aquariums with 60 or more gallons of water.
Sometimes very old Mascara Barbs are even bigger.
Behaviors: These Barbs are active swimmers and are rarely aggressive but will eat small fish that fit into their mouths.
Compatibility: Some recommended tank mates include other medium sized Barbs, larger Rainbowfish, Clown Loaches, Gouramis, and many other medium size aquarium fish.
Click here to read more about compatible groups of pet fish.
Temperature: These Barbs can live pretty well from about 65 to 80 degrees F., but they're probably most comfortable at about 75 degrees F.
Click here to learn about aquarium temperature, aquarium thermometers, and aquarium heaters.
Feeding: Premium Fish Food Flakes when small and small Premium Pellet Food when larger.
Click here to learn more about and shop online for premium fish foods.
Water Conditions: These Barbs seem tolerate a wide range of water conditions.
Probably a pH of about 7 with moderate hardness is best.
Most water in the US has a higher pH and is harder but seems to be OK, so it's probably best NOT to adjust the pH or the hardness of the water.
Here in our facilities the water is hard and the pH is usually about 7.8. We ship them in this water.
Click here for a lot more information about aquarium water conditions.
Aquarium Size: It is probably best to house these fish in at least a 30-gallon aquarium, when they're less than 2" long, but bigger is better.
Eventually they'll need to live in at least a 60-gallon aquarium and each Mascara Barb will need at least 5-gallons of water.
Decor: Barbs do not need gravel, and a layer of gravel more than 1/4" thick will usually fill with bits of uneaten food that will contaminate the water.
Click here for more about aquarium gravel.
Live Plants are beautiful and improve the water quality.
Aquarium Filter: Bio-Wheel Filters are highly recommended.
A Penguin 350B Filter in an aquarium with 30-gallons of water is OK, when these Barbs are less that 3" long.
Eventually this fish needs to live in at least a 60-gallon or aquarium with as many Penguin 350B Filters as will fit along the back of the aquarium.
Click here to learn more about aquarium filters.
The addition of Lava Rocks will keep nitrates in the ideal range.
Life Span: These Barbs can live for several years with good water and premium food.
Gender: Male Barbs become much redder as they mature, and females get plumper as they fill with eggs.
Breeding: Barbs scatter a large number of eggs on plants or special breeding mops made of nylon yarn.
Popularity: These Barbs are rare in aquariums but should become popular. If you patiently raise them up, you'll be amazed by them.
Names: The scientific name of Mascara Barbs is Dawkinsia assimilis.
Variations: There are a couple of slight variations, and there may be a couple of different similar species or subspecies.
We hope you've enjoyed reading these comments.
DrT - 09/18/2015
All of our fish are Premium Quality Fish from the best suppliers in the world. Our fish have better health, more energy and brighter colors, as you can see in our pictures on this website.
We have 380-aquariums with lots-and-lots of popular aquarium fish plus lots-and-lots of rare fish!
We consider ourselves to be the link between the world's best sources of fish and the world's best customers. We love our work, and we are very responsible about caring for our fish and then shipping them carefully.
We also offer lots and lots of information about keeping and caring for pet fish, all from the knowledge of the Bailey Brothers, who have a combined total of 100+ years of experience as breeders, wholesalers, and retailers of pet fish!
Our fish and our customers are treated with the best of care, and we work energetically everyday to make sure every customer enjoys their new fishy friends.
When you purchase pet fish from us, you know you're receiving premium quality fish and premium quality service.
"Received my fish last night and was so pleased! They all arrived alive and appeared to be healthy.
"Once in the tank, they became very active and are now thriving in their new home.
"Beautiful fish, I asked for color and aquariumfish delivered. Processing and shipping was extremely quick."
Nevin and DrTom, the Bailey Brothers
This website is owned and operated by the Bailey Brothers, DrTom and Nevin, who've been together in the fish business for more than 50-years.
The Product Manager has been with the company for more than 35-years.
So we feel very confident that this is the fishiest crew anywhere.