Lipstick Barb Care Guide - Aquarium Setup, Diet & Breeding

The Lipstick Barb is a small, lively cyprinid with a slender, streamlined body and a warm golden to silvery base colour. Its name refers to the striking red colour around the snout and cheeks, while the fins and body may develop richer red tones when the fish is mature and in good condition.

These barbs are active but generally peaceful, spending much of their time exploring the middle and lower levels of the aquarium. In a properly sized group they form a constantly moving shoal, with individuals displaying to one another and briefly intensifying their colours during social interactions.

In the wild, Pethia erythromycter is associated with freshwater habitats in Myanmar, including shallow lake margins and connected streams. These environments typically offer open swimming areas alongside aquatic plants, submerged roots, stones and other cover.

The species is a relatively specialised and less commonly seen member of the Pethia genus. Its compact size, attractive facial markings and energetic group behaviour make it an appealing choice for aquarists who enjoy smaller Asian barbs.

Lipstick Barbs are native to northern Myanmar in Southeast Asia, where they occur in the upper Ayeyarwady region, including waters associated with the Inle Lake area and nearby streams. They inhabit relatively clear freshwater environments with vegetation, gentle flow and seasonal changes in water levels.

A group of Lipstick Barbs should have at least a 60-litre aquarium, with a footprint of approximately 60 by 30 cm or larger. Use a fine or smooth dark substrate, add dense planting around the sides and rear, and leave open water for shoaling. Driftwood, rounded stones and floating plants can provide structure and shaded areas, while good filtration and gentle to moderate circulation help maintain clean, well-oxygenated water without creating excessive flow.

Up to 5 cm (2 in) in total length. Females are usually slightly larger and deeper-bodied than males.

Lipstick Barbs are omnivores and should receive a varied diet of quality small pellets or flakes supplemented with frozen or live foods such as daphnia, baby brine shrimp, bloodworm and mosquito larvae. Small portions of vegetable matter, including spirulina-based foods, can also be included. Feed sparingly once or twice daily, offering only what the group consumes promptly.

Lipstick Barbs are suitable for peaceful community aquariums when kept in a proper group. Good companions include small rasboras, danios, peaceful tetras, smaller Corydoras, kuhli loaches and other similarly sized, non-aggressive Asian community fish. Avoid large predatory species, boisterous tankmates and fin-nipping fish, as well as slow-moving species that may be unsettled by their activity. They should not be housed with fish large enough to swallow them.

Lipstick Barbs are egg-scattering spawners that can be bred in a separate, mature breeding aquarium with gentle filtration, fine-leaved plants or spawning mops, and slightly soft, clean water. Condition a group with plentiful live or frozen foods, then introduce the adults when females are full of eggs. Spawning usually occurs among the plants, after which the adults should be removed because they may eat the eggs. The eggs generally hatch within a few days, and the tiny fry can be raised on infusoria or other suitably fine foods before moving on to newly hatched brine shrimp.

Males are generally slimmer and show stronger red colouration, particularly around the snout, cheeks and fins. Females tend to be fuller-bodied, especially when carrying eggs, and are often paler with less intense red markings.