The Gold Clown Barb (Puntius gelius)

With its small size and attractive colors, the Gold Clown Barb (Puntius gelius) is an ideal schooling fish for a peaceful planted aquarium. The species originates from several of the large, sluggish river basins of the Indian subcontinent, where it can be found occupying muddy shorelines in search of small worms and crustaceans and perhaps the occasional bit of algae. For this reason, P. gelius is a fairly simple species to keep in captivity, adapting to a wide range of water conditions and willing to eat nearly any type of food offered, provided they are small enough to be eaten.

Males and females are quite similar in appearance, with the latter having a somewhat rounder belly when mature. The species is an egg-layer, and, with a little bit of effort, can be bred in an aquarium. The ideal set-up for keeping a school of the Gold Clown Barb would be a well-planted aquarium housed with peaceful tankmates, such as rasboras, tetras, smaller cichlids, Corydoras catfishes and so on. If placed with more boisterous or predatory fishes, this little barb is likely to feel intimidated and will likely hide incessantly. But in the right environment, this brilliant yellow and black jewel can make for a gorgeous addition, with a look like nothing else.