Arulius Barb Dawkinsia tambraparniei 3-4cm

Description

Arulius Barb (Dawkinsia tambraparniei)

A spectacular large schooling barb featuring shimmering metallic colours, bold vertical bands, and graceful finnage—perfect for spacious planted community aquariums.

Quick Facts

  • Scientific name: Dawkinsia tambraparniei
  • Common name: Arulius Barb
  • Adult size: 10–12 cm
  • Tank size: 180L+ recommended
  • Difficulty: 🟢 Easy
  • Temperament: Peaceful & Active
  • Best kept: Schools of 6 or more

Is this for you?

✔️ Perfect if:

  • You enjoy large, active schooling fish.
  • You have a spacious planted aquarium.
  • You want a peaceful alternative to many larger barbs.
  • You appreciate uncommon aquarium species.

❌ Avoid if:

  • Your aquarium is under 180 litres.
  • You keep very timid nano fish.
  • You plan to keep only one or two fish.
  • You don't have plenty of open swimming space.

Why choose the Arulius Barb?

The Arulius Barb is one of the most impressive larger barb species available. Mature fish develop a shimmering silver body accented with bold black vertical bands, golden highlights and beautifully elongated dorsal fins, particularly in males.

Unlike many larger barbs, Arulius Barbs are known for their relatively peaceful nature. When kept in a proper school they spend their day cruising the aquarium together, displaying to one another and constantly exploring every level of the tank.

Their combination of size, elegance and active behaviour makes them a stunning feature species for larger planted community aquariums.

Common mistakes

  • Keeping too few individuals.
  • Housing them in undersized aquariums.
  • Keeping them with very small or timid fish.
  • Providing insufficient swimming space.
  • Neglecting regular water changes.

Care made simple

  • Temperature: 22–27°C
  • pH: 6.5–7.8
  • Diet: Quality pellets, flakes, frozen foods and live foods
  • Water: Clean, well-filtered with moderate water movement
  • Setup: Large planted aquarium with driftwood, open swimming areas and a secure-fitting lid

Pairs perfectly with

  • Rainbowfish
  • Congo Tetras
  • Larger Corydoras
  • Peaceful Loaches
  • Peaceful Gouramis
NTA Insight:
Arulius Barbs deserve far more attention than they receive. They're often overlooked in favour of Tiger Barbs, but they're far more peaceful and develop incredible colours and finnage as they mature. A school of mature Arulius Barbs swimming through a large planted aquarium is a truly impressive sight.

FAQ

How many Arulius Barbs should I keep?

They are schooling fish and should be kept in groups of at least six. Larger groups reduce aggression, encourage natural behaviour and create a much more impressive display.

Are Arulius Barbs aggressive?

No. Compared to many other larger barb species, Arulius Barbs are relatively peaceful and do well in community aquariums with similarly sized fish.

Can they live with shrimp?

Due to their larger adult size, ornamental shrimp and shrimplets are likely to become food. They are better suited to fish-only community aquariums.

Can Arulius Barbs breed in home aquariums?

Yes. They are egg scatterers and can be bred in well-maintained aquariums, although raising the fry is generally easier in a dedicated breeding setup.

What makes Arulius Barbs different from Tiger Barbs?

Arulius Barbs grow significantly larger, are generally much more peaceful, develop elegant elongated dorsal fins and display a striking metallic body with bold vertical bands rather than the broad stripes seen on Tiger Barbs.

Arulius Barb Dawkinsia tambraparniei 3-4cm

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Out of stock,  

$15.00


All prices include GST
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    Description

    Arulius Barb (Dawkinsia tambraparniei)

    A spectacular large schooling barb featuring shimmering metallic colours, bold vertical bands, and graceful finnage—perfect for spacious planted community aquariums.

    Quick Facts

    • Scientific name: Dawkinsia tambraparniei
    • Common name: Arulius Barb
    • Adult size: 10–12 cm
    • Tank size: 180L+ recommended
    • Difficulty: 🟢 Easy
    • Temperament: Peaceful & Active
    • Best kept: Schools of 6 or more

    Is this for you?

    ✔️ Perfect if:

    • You enjoy large, active schooling fish.
    • You have a spacious planted aquarium.
    • You want a peaceful alternative to many larger barbs.
    • You appreciate uncommon aquarium species.

    ❌ Avoid if:

    • Your aquarium is under 180 litres.
    • You keep very timid nano fish.
    • You plan to keep only one or two fish.
    • You don't have plenty of open swimming space.

    Why choose the Arulius Barb?

    The Arulius Barb is one of the most impressive larger barb species available. Mature fish develop a shimmering silver body accented with bold black vertical bands, golden highlights and beautifully elongated dorsal fins, particularly in males.

    Unlike many larger barbs, Arulius Barbs are known for their relatively peaceful nature. When kept in a proper school they spend their day cruising the aquarium together, displaying to one another and constantly exploring every level of the tank.

    Their combination of size, elegance and active behaviour makes them a stunning feature species for larger planted community aquariums.

    Common mistakes

    • Keeping too few individuals.
    • Housing them in undersized aquariums.
    • Keeping them with very small or timid fish.
    • Providing insufficient swimming space.
    • Neglecting regular water changes.

    Care made simple

    • Temperature: 22–27°C
    • pH: 6.5–7.8
    • Diet: Quality pellets, flakes, frozen foods and live foods
    • Water: Clean, well-filtered with moderate water movement
    • Setup: Large planted aquarium with driftwood, open swimming areas and a secure-fitting lid

    Pairs perfectly with

    • Rainbowfish
    • Congo Tetras
    • Larger Corydoras
    • Peaceful Loaches
    • Peaceful Gouramis
    NTA Insight:
    Arulius Barbs deserve far more attention than they receive. They're often overlooked in favour of Tiger Barbs, but they're far more peaceful and develop incredible colours and finnage as they mature. A school of mature Arulius Barbs swimming through a large planted aquarium is a truly impressive sight.

    FAQ

    How many Arulius Barbs should I keep?

    They are schooling fish and should be kept in groups of at least six. Larger groups reduce aggression, encourage natural behaviour and create a much more impressive display.

    Are Arulius Barbs aggressive?

    No. Compared to many other larger barb species, Arulius Barbs are relatively peaceful and do well in community aquariums with similarly sized fish.

    Can they live with shrimp?

    Due to their larger adult size, ornamental shrimp and shrimplets are likely to become food. They are better suited to fish-only community aquariums.

    Can Arulius Barbs breed in home aquariums?

    Yes. They are egg scatterers and can be bred in well-maintained aquariums, although raising the fry is generally easier in a dedicated breeding setup.

    What makes Arulius Barbs different from Tiger Barbs?

    Arulius Barbs grow significantly larger, are generally much more peaceful, develop elegant elongated dorsal fins and display a striking metallic body with bold vertical bands rather than the broad stripes seen on Tiger Barbs.

    Live Arrival & Ordering FAQ

    Why do livestock prices sometimes change?

    Unlike manufactured products, fish and shrimp continue to grow and develop over time. Their value changes as they increase in size, develop colour, or become breeding pairs.

    Our prices are based on the current size, quality and availability of each specimen. While pricing often remains stable for around 3–4 months, it may be updated at any time to reflect these changes.

    We always aim to offer healthy, high-quality livestock at fair and competitive prices.

    Do you offer a live arrival guarantee?

    Yes. All livestock is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee.

    In the rare event of DOA, please contact us promptly with clear photos of the livestock in the original unopened bag.

    Please review our full DOA and store policies before purchase.

    Can you ship to all states in Australia?

    No. Due to state restrictions, we cannot ship livestock or live plants to WA and TAS.

    What should I check before ordering?

    Before placing an order, make sure:

    • Your tank is fully cycled and stable
    • Your aquarium has enough space for the species
    • Your current livestock are compatible in temperament, size, and requirements
    • Your water parameters, habitat, and temperature suit the species
    • You are not adding too many fish at once
    What should I expect when my fish arrives?

    It is normal for fish, shrimp, or snails to look pale, stressed, or less active after shipping.

    This is temporary. Most livestock will settle and regain colour within a few days.

    How long does it take for fish to settle in?

    Most livestock will take 3–7 days to fully adjust to their new environment.

    Should I feed my fish immediately after arrival?

    No. We recommend waiting 24 hours before feeding to allow them to settle.

    If you already have fish in your tank, feeding them before introducing new arrivals can help reduce stress.

    Why do fish sometimes struggle after being added to a tank?

    In most cases, issues are caused by tank conditions, not shipping.

    • Uncycled or unstable tanks
    • Poor water parameters
    • Overstocking
    • Unsuitable tank mates
    What is Nano Tanks Australia’s main tip for new livestock?

    Most livestock losses happen in immature or unstable tanks, not during shipping.

    If your setup is not fully established, the risk to new arrivals is significantly higher.

    Not sure if this fish is right for your setup?

    If you are unsure whether this species suits your setup, contact us before ordering and we’ll help point you in the right direction.

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