Melon Barb Haludaria fasciata 4-6cm

Description

Melon Barb (Haludaria fasciata)

A vibrant and underrated Indian barb featuring warm melon-orange colours, bold vertical bands and peaceful schooling behaviour that thrives in planted community aquariums.

Quick Facts

  • Scientific name: Haludaria fasciata
  • Common name: Melon Barb
  • Adult size: 6–8 cm
  • Tank size: 90L+ recommended
  • Difficulty: 🟢 Easy
  • Temperament: Peaceful & Active
  • Best kept: Schools of 6 or more

Is this for you?

āœ”ļø Perfect if:

  • You want an uncommon schooling barb.
  • You keep a planted community aquarium.
  • You enjoy fish with natural, earthy colours.
  • You want an active but peaceful species.

āŒ Avoid if:

  • You keep aggressive fish.
  • You plan on keeping only one or two fish.
  • Your aquarium has very little swimming space.
  • You keep slow-moving long-finned species.

Why choose the Melon Barb?

The Melon Barb is a beautiful yet often overlooked species that rewards aquarists with subtle but striking colours. Mature fish develop warm golden, melon-orange and copper tones across the body, highlighted by distinctive vertical bands and iridescent scales that shimmer under aquarium lighting.

These peaceful schooling fish are constantly active without being overly boisterous. They enjoy swimming together through planted aquariums, and males display richer colours during breeding and social interactions.

Their calm temperament and hardy nature make them an excellent alternative to more common barb species such as Tiger or Rosy Barbs.

Common mistakes

  • Keeping too few individuals.
  • Housing them with aggressive tank mates.
  • Providing limited plant cover.
  • Allowing poor water quality.
  • Overfeeding.

Care made simple

  • Temperature: 22–27°C
  • pH: 6.0–7.5
  • Diet: Premium flakes, quality pellets, frozen foods and live foods
  • Water: Clean, stable and well-filtered
  • Setup: Planted aquarium with driftwood, open swimming areas and darker substrate to enhance colour

Pairs perfectly with

  • Cherry Barbs
  • Rainbowfish
  • Harlequin Rasboras
  • Corydoras
  • Honey Gouramis
NTA Insight:
The Melon Barb isn't the flashiest fish in a dealer's tank, which is probably why it's so underrated. Give them a planted aquarium, quality food and a few weeks to settle in, and you'll see warm copper and melon tones that simply don't show up under shop lighting. They're a fantastic choice if you're after something a little different that's still easy to keep.

FAQ

How many Melon Barbs should I keep?

They are schooling fish and should be kept in groups of at least six. Groups of 8–10 fish will display more natural behaviour and better colour.

Are Melon Barbs peaceful?

Yes. They are peaceful community fish and mix well with other similarly sized, non-aggressive species.

Can they live with shrimp?

Adult shrimp may be left alone, but small shrimplets can be eaten. Dense mosses and planted areas will provide excellent shelter for young shrimp.

Can Melon Barbs breed in home aquariums?

Yes. They are egg scatterers and can be bred in dedicated breeding aquariums with fine-leaved plants or spawning mops. Removing the adults after spawning greatly improves fry survival.

What makes the Melon Barb different?

Unlike many brightly coloured barb species, the Melon Barb is prized for its warm copper, gold and melon-orange tones, peaceful temperament and understated natural beauty that becomes more impressive as the fish mature.

Melon Barb Haludaria fasciata 4-6cm

Product form

Out of stock,  

$12.00


All prices include GST
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    Description

    Melon Barb (Haludaria fasciata)

    A vibrant and underrated Indian barb featuring warm melon-orange colours, bold vertical bands and peaceful schooling behaviour that thrives in planted community aquariums.

    Quick Facts

    • Scientific name: Haludaria fasciata
    • Common name: Melon Barb
    • Adult size: 6–8 cm
    • Tank size: 90L+ recommended
    • Difficulty: 🟢 Easy
    • Temperament: Peaceful & Active
    • Best kept: Schools of 6 or more

    Is this for you?

    āœ”ļø Perfect if:

    • You want an uncommon schooling barb.
    • You keep a planted community aquarium.
    • You enjoy fish with natural, earthy colours.
    • You want an active but peaceful species.

    āŒ Avoid if:

    • You keep aggressive fish.
    • You plan on keeping only one or two fish.
    • Your aquarium has very little swimming space.
    • You keep slow-moving long-finned species.

    Why choose the Melon Barb?

    The Melon Barb is a beautiful yet often overlooked species that rewards aquarists with subtle but striking colours. Mature fish develop warm golden, melon-orange and copper tones across the body, highlighted by distinctive vertical bands and iridescent scales that shimmer under aquarium lighting.

    These peaceful schooling fish are constantly active without being overly boisterous. They enjoy swimming together through planted aquariums, and males display richer colours during breeding and social interactions.

    Their calm temperament and hardy nature make them an excellent alternative to more common barb species such as Tiger or Rosy Barbs.

    Common mistakes

    • Keeping too few individuals.
    • Housing them with aggressive tank mates.
    • Providing limited plant cover.
    • Allowing poor water quality.
    • Overfeeding.

    Care made simple

    • Temperature: 22–27°C
    • pH: 6.0–7.5
    • Diet: Premium flakes, quality pellets, frozen foods and live foods
    • Water: Clean, stable and well-filtered
    • Setup: Planted aquarium with driftwood, open swimming areas and darker substrate to enhance colour

    Pairs perfectly with

    • Cherry Barbs
    • Rainbowfish
    • Harlequin Rasboras
    • Corydoras
    • Honey Gouramis
    NTA Insight:
    The Melon Barb isn't the flashiest fish in a dealer's tank, which is probably why it's so underrated. Give them a planted aquarium, quality food and a few weeks to settle in, and you'll see warm copper and melon tones that simply don't show up under shop lighting. They're a fantastic choice if you're after something a little different that's still easy to keep.

    FAQ

    How many Melon Barbs should I keep?

    They are schooling fish and should be kept in groups of at least six. Groups of 8–10 fish will display more natural behaviour and better colour.

    Are Melon Barbs peaceful?

    Yes. They are peaceful community fish and mix well with other similarly sized, non-aggressive species.

    Can they live with shrimp?

    Adult shrimp may be left alone, but small shrimplets can be eaten. Dense mosses and planted areas will provide excellent shelter for young shrimp.

    Can Melon Barbs breed in home aquariums?

    Yes. They are egg scatterers and can be bred in dedicated breeding aquariums with fine-leaved plants or spawning mops. Removing the adults after spawning greatly improves fry survival.

    What makes the Melon Barb different?

    Unlike many brightly coloured barb species, the Melon Barb is prized for its warm copper, gold and melon-orange tones, peaceful temperament and understated natural beauty that becomes more impressive as the fish mature.

    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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