The Odessa Barb (Pethia padamya)

There are few barbs that can compete with the breathtaking Odessa Barb for sheer visual impact in an aquarium. For this reason, it has been an immensely popular species since it was first introduced in the 1970’s, but its origins are surprisingly mysterious. Until quite recently, it was unclear where this fish originated from and what species it actually was. Its common name comes from the Ukrainian city of Odessa, where the fish was first captive bred for aquarists, but it would not be until 2008 that a wild population was discovered and the fish was scientifically described as Pethia (Puntius) padamya.

To find this fish in its natural habitat, you’d have to travel to some of the upland rivers of Central Myanmar, where it has been collected at elevations of 3,000 meters in highly alkaline water. Fortunately, it has been bred for such a long time in captivity, it will now tolerate a wide range of conditions and is incredibly easy to keep happy and healthy. It is an omnivore that will accept just about any kind of food offered, and, with a maximum size of just a couple inches, it makes for an ideal schooling fish for smaller aquariums.

Males are easily told apart from females due to the bright red band along the body that develops with age, as well as a bright yellow dorsal fin. Females are duller in coloration, but several should always be added alongside the males to help bring out their colors. And, with a bit of effort, it is quite simple to breed this fish in an aquarium. Good tankmates for this species might include danios, rasboras, and other barbs, as well as rainbowfishes, many cichlids and catfishes, and much, much more. With its rainbow colors and peaceful nature, the Odessa Barb is close to being a perfect fish.