Common name
Denison barb
Scientific name
Dawkinsia denisonii
Category
Freshwater fish
Group
Barbs
Environment
Freshwater
Origin
Fast-flowing rivers of the Western Ghats in Kerala and Karnataka, India
Care level
Advanced
Adult size
Up to about 15 cm total length
Expected lifespan
5–8 years
Minimum housing
At least 350 L with a 150 cm or longer high-oxygen swimming footprint for a group of eight or more
Temperature
20–26 °C
pH
6.5–7.8
Hardness / minerals
Soft to moderately hard
Salinity
Freshwater
Lighting
Normal aquarium lighting
Placement / swimming zone
Species dependent

Identity and search names

Single-species profile for Dawkinsia denisonii; captive-bred provenance is preferable for this threatened Western Ghats fish.

Environment and housing

Long tank with current, high dissolved oxygen, smooth hardscape and clear swimming lanes

Feeding and nutrition

Feeding ecology: Omnivore; varied quality foods including plant matter and invertebrates

Feeding routine: Small appropriate meals based on age and body condition

Breeding and reproduction

Egg scatterer; home spawning is uncommon

Parental care: No parental care

System demands

Filtration: Use mature biological filtration sized for the adult stock and feeding load, with guarded intakes and a flow pattern the species can use without continual effort.

Aeration: Maintain strong gas exchange and stable dissolved oxygen, especially overnight, during warm weather, medication, crowding or any interruption to filtration.

Maintenance: Test ammonia and nitrite after changes or abnormal behaviour; remove waste from the occupied zone and perform regular water changes matched to temperature and mineral chemistry.

Detailed husbandry

Identity scope
Single-species profile for Dawkinsia denisonii; captive-bred provenance is preferable for this threatened Western Ghats fish.
Adult size and space
Up to about 15 cm total length. At least 350 L with a 150 cm or longer high-oxygen swimming footprint for a group of eight or more. Plan around adult dimensions, activity, group size and waste production rather than sale size.
Social structure
Keep at least eight, preferably ten or more, in a long aquarium with strong oxygenation and open swimming room
Swimming zone
Primary zone: Mid water. Keep this zone open for movement, feeding and refuge.
Feeding ecology
Omnivore; varied quality foods including plant matter and invertebrates
Feeding plan
Small appropriate meals based on age and body condition
Water stability
Maintain 20–26 °C; pH 6.5–7.8; hardness/minerals: Soft to moderately hard. Stable oxygenation and nitrogen-cycle control matter more than chasing one exact number.
Habitat structure
Long tank with current, high dissolved oxygen, smooth hardscape and clear swimming lanes
Compatibility plan
Robust peaceful fish that tolerate flow and cooler tropical temperatures
Breeding plan
Egg scatterer; home spawning is uncommon. Parental care: No parental care.
Quarantine
Quarantine new fish in a separate cycled aquarium with dedicated equipment. Match temperature and mineral chemistry gradually, confirm feeding and normal respiration, and never add transport water to the established aquarium.
Welfare checks
Use the adult housing and social plan in this profile, monitor body condition and behaviour, and correct measured water or compatibility problems early. Buy captive-bred fish from responsible sources. Adults need a large, cool, highly oxygenated system.
Biosecurity and release
Never release fish, fry, eggs, aquarium water, sediment, plants or live foods into drains, dams or natural waterways. Confirm current Australian import conditions and South Australian possession, trade and movement rules before acquisition or transfer.
Main risk
Wild populations have faced heavy collection and habitat pressure. Prefer documented captive-bred stock, retain supplier records and never buy fish represented as unverified wild harvest.
Adult Projected Load
High for the required adult shoal because large active fish, strong current, high oxygen and frequent feeding demand substantial filtration and long swimming space.
Filtration
Use mature mechanical and biological filtration with protected intakes and enough turnover for the adult group while preserving species-appropriate current and refuge.
Aeration
Provide strong gas exchange and backup aeration; increase oxygen support before warm weather, heavy feeding, crowding, medication or filter interruption reduces the safety margin.
Maintenance
Remove uneaten food and bottom waste, clean prefilters before flow falls, test ammonia and nitrite after changes, and perform regular temperature- and chemistry-matched water changes.
Overridable Warnings
Adult shoal size, long swimming footprint, cool oxygen-rich flow, captive-bred provenance and no-release obligations cannot be overridden.

Welfare and risk

Main risk

Wild populations have faced heavy collection and habitat pressure. Prefer documented captive-bred stock, retain supplier records and never buy fish represented as unverified wild harvest.

Use the adult housing and social plan in this profile, monitor body condition and behaviour, and correct measured water or compatibility problems early. Buy captive-bred fish from responsible sources. Adults need a large, cool, highly oxygenated system.

Non-overridable warning

Adult shoal size, long swimming footprint, cool oxygen-rich flow, captive-bred provenance and no-release obligations cannot be overridden.

Sources

Source note

CURRENT