Odessa Barb Pethia Padamya 3-5cm

Description

Odessa Barb (Pethia padamya)

A stunning and highly sought-after barb featuring an electric crimson stripe, metallic silver body and peaceful schooling behaviour that's perfect for planted community aquariums.

Quick Facts

  • Scientific name: Pethia padamya
  • Common name: Odessa Barb
  • Adult size: 5–7 cm
  • Tank size: 90L+ recommended
  • Difficulty: 🟢 Easy
  • Temperament: Peaceful & Active
  • Best kept: Schools of 8 or more

Is this for you?

āœ”ļø Perfect if:

  • You want a colourful, active schooling fish.
  • You keep a planted community aquarium.
  • You enjoy fish that become more colourful as they mature.
  • You want an uncommon alternative to Tiger or Cherry Barbs.

āŒ Avoid if:

  • You keep aggressive or highly territorial fish.
  • You plan on keeping only one or two fish.
  • Your aquarium is very small.
  • You keep delicate long-finned species in cramped conditions.

Why choose the Odessa Barb?

The Odessa Barb is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful barb species available. Mature males develop a brilliant crimson stripe running from head to tail over a shimmering metallic silver body, creating an eye-catching display unlike almost any other freshwater fish.

Females are more subtly coloured in silver and gold, providing a beautiful contrast to the males. Kept in a large school, these active fish spend their day exploring the aquarium, interacting with one another and displaying their colours during courtship and social behaviour.

Hardy, peaceful and constantly active, the Odessa Barb is an excellent choice for aquarists wanting colour without sacrificing community compatibility.

Common mistakes

  • Keeping too few individuals.
  • Housing them with aggressive fish.
  • Keeping them in cramped aquariums.
  • Providing little swimming space.
  • Neglecting regular water changes.

Care made simple

  • Temperature: 20–27°C
  • pH: 6.5–7.8
  • Diet: Premium flakes, quality pellets, frozen foods, live foods and insect-based foods
  • Water: Clean, stable and well-filtered
  • Setup: Planted aquarium with open swimming areas, driftwood and dark substrate to maximise colour

Pairs perfectly with

  • Cherry Barbs
  • Rainbowfish
  • Harlequin Rasboras
  • Corydoras
  • Honey Gouramis
NTA Insight:
Few freshwater fish undergo the transformation that Odessa Barbs do. Juveniles can look fairly ordinary, but mature males become absolutely spectacular with an intense ruby-red stripe that almost glows under LED lighting. Keeping them in a school of 8–12 fish with quality nutrition and regular water changes brings out their very best colours.

FAQ

How many Odessa Barbs should I keep?

They are schooling fish and should be kept in groups of at least eight. Larger groups encourage natural behaviour, reduce stress and produce the most impressive colour displays.

Are Odessa Barbs peaceful?

Yes. They are generally peaceful community fish and mix well with other active, similarly sized species. They are far less prone to fin-nipping than Tiger Barbs.

Can they live with shrimp?

Adult shrimp may be left alone, but shrimplets and very small shrimp are likely to become food. Dense mosses and plants provide the best protection for young shrimp.

Can Odessa Barbs breed in home aquariums?

Yes. They are egg scatterers and will readily breed in a dedicated breeding aquarium with fine-leaved plants or spawning mops. Removing the adults after spawning greatly improves fry survival.

Why are my Odessa Barbs not bright red yet?

Only mature males develop the famous crimson stripe. Good genetics, quality nutrition, clean water, a proper school and a little patience are the keys to bringing out their full colour potential.

Odessa Barb Pethia Padamya 3-5cm

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Out of stock,  

$10.00


All prices include GST
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    Description

    Odessa Barb (Pethia padamya)

    A stunning and highly sought-after barb featuring an electric crimson stripe, metallic silver body and peaceful schooling behaviour that's perfect for planted community aquariums.

    Quick Facts

    • Scientific name: Pethia padamya
    • Common name: Odessa Barb
    • Adult size: 5–7 cm
    • Tank size: 90L+ recommended
    • Difficulty: 🟢 Easy
    • Temperament: Peaceful & Active
    • Best kept: Schools of 8 or more

    Is this for you?

    āœ”ļø Perfect if:

    • You want a colourful, active schooling fish.
    • You keep a planted community aquarium.
    • You enjoy fish that become more colourful as they mature.
    • You want an uncommon alternative to Tiger or Cherry Barbs.

    āŒ Avoid if:

    • You keep aggressive or highly territorial fish.
    • You plan on keeping only one or two fish.
    • Your aquarium is very small.
    • You keep delicate long-finned species in cramped conditions.

    Why choose the Odessa Barb?

    The Odessa Barb is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful barb species available. Mature males develop a brilliant crimson stripe running from head to tail over a shimmering metallic silver body, creating an eye-catching display unlike almost any other freshwater fish.

    Females are more subtly coloured in silver and gold, providing a beautiful contrast to the males. Kept in a large school, these active fish spend their day exploring the aquarium, interacting with one another and displaying their colours during courtship and social behaviour.

    Hardy, peaceful and constantly active, the Odessa Barb is an excellent choice for aquarists wanting colour without sacrificing community compatibility.

    Common mistakes

    • Keeping too few individuals.
    • Housing them with aggressive fish.
    • Keeping them in cramped aquariums.
    • Providing little swimming space.
    • Neglecting regular water changes.

    Care made simple

    • Temperature: 20–27°C
    • pH: 6.5–7.8
    • Diet: Premium flakes, quality pellets, frozen foods, live foods and insect-based foods
    • Water: Clean, stable and well-filtered
    • Setup: Planted aquarium with open swimming areas, driftwood and dark substrate to maximise colour

    Pairs perfectly with

    • Cherry Barbs
    • Rainbowfish
    • Harlequin Rasboras
    • Corydoras
    • Honey Gouramis
    NTA Insight:
    Few freshwater fish undergo the transformation that Odessa Barbs do. Juveniles can look fairly ordinary, but mature males become absolutely spectacular with an intense ruby-red stripe that almost glows under LED lighting. Keeping them in a school of 8–12 fish with quality nutrition and regular water changes brings out their very best colours.

    FAQ

    How many Odessa Barbs should I keep?

    They are schooling fish and should be kept in groups of at least eight. Larger groups encourage natural behaviour, reduce stress and produce the most impressive colour displays.

    Are Odessa Barbs peaceful?

    Yes. They are generally peaceful community fish and mix well with other active, similarly sized species. They are far less prone to fin-nipping than Tiger Barbs.

    Can they live with shrimp?

    Adult shrimp may be left alone, but shrimplets and very small shrimp are likely to become food. Dense mosses and plants provide the best protection for young shrimp.

    Can Odessa Barbs breed in home aquariums?

    Yes. They are egg scatterers and will readily breed in a dedicated breeding aquarium with fine-leaved plants or spawning mops. Removing the adults after spawning greatly improves fry survival.

    Why are my Odessa Barbs not bright red yet?

    Only mature males develop the famous crimson stripe. Good genetics, quality nutrition, clean water, a proper school and a little patience are the keys to bringing out their full colour potential.

    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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