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Mascara barb is also called red necklace barb or Dawkinsia assimilis (D. assimilis). The mascara barb grows to just over 4 inches (10 cm) and is extremely active. It will be happiest in a large group, and its colors will make it a constantly moving, visual focal point of any display. Distribution: Endemic to the Southwest Indian states of Karnataka and Kerala (Western Ghats) where it has been collected from the Netravati, Chalakudy, and Kallada river basins in recent years, though the precise extent of its distribution remains unclear. Habitat: Occurs in various habitat types depending on locality and probably time of year. In the Netravati it was recorded in marginal zones with sluggish flow and muddy substrate, whereas the Chalakudy fish were collected from clear, rocky, flowing stretches between the numerous waterfalls formed as the river descends from the Western Ghats mountains. In the Kallada River, where it was living syntopically with D. exclamatio, the water was clear, shallow (depth less than 50 cm) and flowing slowly with the fish found among granite boulders (Pethiyagoda and Kottelat, 2005a). Maximum Standard Length: 90 – 120 mm. Aquarium Size: An aquarium with base measurements of at least 120 * 45 cm or equivalent should be the smallest considered for long-term care. Maintenance: Not difficult to keep in a well-maintained setup, though we recommend aquascaping the tank to resemble a flowing stream or river with a substrate of variably-sized, water-worn rocks, sand, fine gravel and perhaps some small boulders. This can be further furnished with driftwood roots or branches, and while the majority of aquatic plants will fail to thrive in such surroundings hardy types such as Microsorum, Bolbitis or Anubias spp. can be grown attached to the décor. Since it naturally occurs in relatively pristine habitats it’s intolerant to accumulation of organic pollutants and requires more-or-less spotless water in order to thrive. Though torrent-like conditions are unnecessary it also does best if there is a high proportion of dissolved oxygen and moderate water movement, while weekly water changes of 30-50% tank volume should be considered routine. Temperature: 19 – 25 °C pH: 6.0 – 7.0 Hardness: 36 – 179 ppm Diet: A foraging omnivore in nature feeding on a variety of worms, insects, crustaceans, plant material, and other organic debris. In the aquarium it’s easily-fed but a balanced diet comprising regular meals of small live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, Daphnia, and Artemia alongside good quality dried flakes and granules will promote optimal condition and colors. Behaviour and Compatibility: An ideal addition to a peaceful community of riverine species alongside other schooling or shoaling cyprinids plus botiid, cobitid, nemacheilid, and balitorid loaches. If geography isn’t an issue it can actually be combined with most peaceful fish of a size too large to be considered food and that have a bold enough disposition to not be intimidated by its size and active nature. As always, thorough research is the best way to avoid problems when selecting a compatible fish community. It’s a schooling species by nature so ideally 8-10 specimens should be purchased. Maintaining it in decent numbers will not only make the fish less skittish but will result in a more effective, natural looking display. In addition, any aggressive behavior will normally be contained as males concentrate on maintaining their hierarchical position within the group. Reproduction: Like most small cyprinids this is an egg-scattering free spawner exhibiting no parental care. When in good condition it will spawn often and in a mature aquarium it’s possible that small numbers of fry may start to appear without intervention, although if you want to maximize yield a more controlled approach is required. The adult group can still be conditioned together but a separate aquarium should be set up and filled with mature water. This should be very dimly lit and the base covered with some kind of mesh of a large enough grade so that the eggs can fall through but small enough so that the adults cannot reach them. The widely available plastic ‘grass’-type matting can also be used and works well, as does a layer of glass marbles. Alternatively filling much of the tank with a fine-leaved plant such as Taxiphyllum spp. or spawning mops can also return decent results. #MascaraBarb #MascaraBarbs #RedNecklaceBarb #DawkinsiaAssimilis #PlanetEarthAquarium #RajusRandomVideos
