Identity and search names

Common name
Odessa barb
Scientific name
Pethia padamya
Other names
Odessa barb, Scarlet barb, Pethia padamya, Puntius padamya
Category
Freshwater fish
Group
Barbs
Origin
Central Myanmar in the Ayeyarwady drainage and associated tributary habitats
Review outcome
PASSED

Environment and housing

Environment
Freshwater
Care level
Beginner to intermediate
Adult size
Usually 5–7 cm total length
Expected lifespan
About 5–8 years
Minimum housing
At least 120 L with a long open swimming area for a group of eight or more
Temperature
20–26 °C
pH
6.0–8.0
Hardness or minerals
Soft to moderately hard
Salinity
Freshwater
Lighting
Moderate with planted margins
Social structure
Keep at least eight, preferably ten or more, with a balanced sex ratio
Placement or swimming zone
Middle and lower water
Temperament
Active schooling barb; minor chasing is normal but worsens in small groups
Compatibility
Use active peaceful fish not burdened by long delicate fins; avoid slow timid species in cramped aquaria
Habitat structure
Long well-oxygenated aquarium with open swimming space, planted edges, wood or rounded stones and a secure lid

Feeding and nutrition

Diet
Small invertebrates, algae, plant material and varied quality omnivore foods
Feeding frequency
Feed small varied portions once or twice daily and include plant-rich foods

Breeding and reproduction

Breeding or reproduction
Condition adults and use fine plants, mops or mesh to protect scattered eggs. Remove adults promptly after spawning
Parental care
No parental care; adults eat eggs and fry

System demands

Filtration
Use mature biological filtration sized for the full adult group and feeding load, with intake protection where juveniles, long fins or small fish are present. Provide steady turnover without preventing normal swimming or resting.
Aeration
Maintain strong surface gas exchange and stable dissolved oxygen. Increase aeration during warm weather, medication, transport recovery, breeding crowding or any ammonia or nitrite event.
Maintenance
Test ammonia, nitrite and nitrate, remove waste from feeding and shelter zones, and perform regular temperature- and chemistry-matched water changes before nitrate or dissolved organics accumulate.

Detailed husbandry

Identity scope
This profile applies to Pethia padamya. It should not be treated as an artificial colour strain of another barb, and stock identity should remain tied to the valid species.
Adult size and space
Usually 5–7 cm total length. At least 120 L with a long open swimming area for a group of eight or more. Plan around adult dimensions, activity, social structure, aggression and waste production rather than sale size.
Social structure
Keep at least eight, preferably ten or more, with a balanced sex ratio
Placement or swimming zone
Primary zone: Middle and lower water. Keep that zone usable for movement, feeding and refuge.
Feeding ecology
Small invertebrates, algae, plant material and varied quality omnivore foods
Feeding plan
Feed small varied portions once or twice daily and include plant-rich foods
Water stability
Maintain 20–26 °C; pH 6.0–8.0; hardness/minerals: Soft to moderately hard. Stable oxygenation and nitrogen-cycle control matter more than chasing one exact number.
Adult projected load
Plan capacity for Keep at least eight, preferably ten or more, with a balanced sex ratio at the documented adult size (Usually 5–7 cm total length) in At least 120 L with a long open swimming area for a group of eight or more. Include feeding intensity, territorial behaviour and breeding growth rather than counting sale-size juveniles.
Filtration
Use mature biological filtration sized for the full adult group and feeding load, with intake protection where juveniles, long fins or small fish are present. Provide steady turnover without preventing normal swimming or resting.
Aeration
Maintain strong surface gas exchange and stable dissolved oxygen. Increase aeration during warm weather, medication, transport recovery, breeding crowding or any ammonia or nitrite event.
Maintenance
Test ammonia, nitrite and nitrate, remove waste from feeding and shelter zones, and perform regular temperature- and chemistry-matched water changes before nitrate or dissolved organics accumulate.
Habitat structure
Long well-oxygenated aquarium with open swimming space, planted edges, wood or rounded stones and a secure lid
Compatibility plan
Use active peaceful fish not burdened by long delicate fins; avoid slow timid species in cramped aquaria
Breeding plan
Condition adults and use fine plants, mops or mesh to protect scattered eggs. Remove adults promptly after spawning Parental care: No parental care; adults eat eggs and fry.
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
Maintain the stated adult space and social structure, verify feeding and intervene early when injury, exclusion, weight loss, abnormal respiration or altered behaviour appears. Keeping only a pair or trio concentrates chasing and can create fin damage. Group size and swimming length matter more than sale size.
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
Keeping only a pair or trio concentrates chasing and can create fin damage. Group size and swimming length matter more than sale size.
Overridable warnings
Keeping only a pair or trio concentrates chasing and can create fin damage. Group size and swimming length matter more than sale size. Any override must still preserve adult space, social welfare, stable chemistry, oxygen and filter capacity.

Welfare and risk

Welfare checks
Maintain the stated adult space and social structure, verify feeding and intervene early when injury, exclusion, weight loss, abnormal respiration or altered behaviour appears. Keeping only a pair or trio concentrates chasing and can create fin damage. Group size and swimming length matter more than sale size.
Main warning
Keeping only a pair or trio concentrates chasing and can create fin damage. Group size and swimming length matter more than sale size.
Biosecurity
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.

Sources

Source note

Current identity or scope, husbandry, system-demand, welfare and Australian biosecurity evidence checked; active retired-source links removed; all AquaNexus wording is original.

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