odessas

Question
QUESTION: hi i ve got 2 odessa barbs one of mine is slightly bigge and has a faint red line through his body so i m guessing he s a male and my second one is a bit smaller and has got no sighn of a redline going through him so is a male odessa barb bigger than the female??? thank you

ANSWER: Hi Akhil,

According to liveaquaria.com (there is a picture) the male and female odessa barbs look completely different from one another.

The Odessa Barb is sometimes known as the Scarlet Barb, and the body of the female is silver and pink with a black spot above the pectoral fin. The male is black to silver in coloration and has a beautiful bright red stripe running horizontally from the head to the tail. They are very beautiful and lively fish.

Good luck : ) April M.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: last time asked you the question about my odessa barbs was yesterday when he had a faint red line going horizontally through him but now he is brighter then ever and one of the most beautiful fish in my tank.


Odessa Barbs   ANSWER: Hi Akhil,

I bet he is!  I have attached a good photo courtesy of liveaquaria that shows the distinct difference between male and female.

Good luck : ) April M.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: oh thats so cool but will my male also turn black with a red line  going through him? thanks

Answer
Hi Akhil,

It depends on the quality of the breeder.  Just as you see, if you are familiar with clown loaches.  Some have deep, dark black stripes and other have lighter brown stripes.  It depends on the quality of the species and the breeder.  He may develop additional color as he grows.

Good luck : ) April M.