🐟 Odessa Barb (Pethia padamya, formerly Puntius padamya)
Freshwater Active Schooling Barb • Bright Red Stripe on Males • Peaceful in a Big Group, Nippy in a Small One
 
📋 The Odessa Barb, also called the Ruby Barb, is a small, lively barb known for the brilliant red stripe that mature males show along their silver flanks, with black-spotted fins. It is one of the hobby's best colour-for-size fish, and males display to each other and to females all day.
It has an unusual history. The fish circulated in the trade from the 1970s as an unidentified "Puntius" with no known wild origin, and it was only formally described in 2008, from central Myanmar. The name "Odessa" comes from a rumour that it was first bred in Odesa, Ukraine. The Burmese word padamya, in its scientific name, means "ruby."
It is generally peaceful but active, and its behaviour depends on the group. Keep at least six, and eight to ten is better, with a mix of males and females. In a small group it can turn nippy and harass slow, long-finned fish, so pair it with active, similarly sized tank mates. Provide open swimming space and some cover, since it can be skittish in a bare tank.
 
💡 Highlights
✨ Red Stripe on Males: A vivid ruby stripe on a silver body
⚪ Peaceful in a Group: Can nip in a small group; avoid slow, long-finned fish
📏 Small: About 5cm
👥 Schooling Fish: At least six, ideally eight to ten
🌿 Plant-Friendly: Safe with live plants and will graze some algae