Miss Kerala barb
The heavier-bodied relative of the denison barb, with a red stripe that extends further along the flank and a fish that reaches sixteen centimetres. Both species were heavily collected for the aquarium trade from a very small range and both are now protected under Indian export controls.
Quick profile
- Scientific name
- Sahyadria chalakkudiensis
- Adult size
- 12–16 cm (4.7–6.3 in)
- Lifespan
- 6–8 years
- Temperature
- 19–25 °C (66–77 °F)
- pH
- 6.8–7.8
- Hardness
- 5–15 °dGH
- Minimum tank
- 300 L (79 US gal)
- Minimum length
- 150 cm
- Swimming zone
- Midwater
- Social
- Shoaling — at least 6
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Overall confidence
- moderate confidence
What keeping this species involves
Cool fast water, a long tank, a real shoal and a fish that reaches sixteen centimetres. It is sold at four in a warm still community tank.
Fast clear hill-river reaches over rock and gravel, with high oxygen and cool water.
Identity and names
- Common name
- Miss Kerala barb
- Scientific name
- Sahyadria chalakkudiensis
- Family
- Cyprinidae
- Order
- Cypriniformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Also sold as
- Sahyadria chalakkudiensis, Puntius chalakkudiensis, red line torpedo barb, Chalakudy barb
- Former or synonymous names
- Puntius chalakkudiensis, Hypselobarbus chalakkudiensis
Adult size and growth
12–16 cm (4.7–6.3 in)
Typical lifespan in an aquarium: 6–8 years. Almost every animal sold in a shop is a juvenile, so the tank has to suit the size in the first line rather than the size in the bag.
Shape, which is what the compatibility engine reads instead of length alone: fusiform — the ordinary torpedo with a small terminal mouth. Assigned from what is typical of Cyprinidae, not examined for this species.
Water and tank requirements
A shoal of sixteen-centimetre fish that swim continuously against current. Length is the constraint and the group multiplies it.
Temperature (°C)
Scale: 0 to 36 °C.
pH (pH)
Scale: 4 to 9.5 pH.
Hardness (°dGH)
Scale: 0 to 30 °dGH.
Why these ranges: Western Ghats hill rivers are cool, fast and well oxygenated. The upper bound is set deliberately below general tropical practice because sustained warm water shortens the life of this genus without producing obvious symptoms.
Where these figures come from
Habitat class
Hill stream and rapids
Fast, cool, oxygen-saturated running water over rock and gravel, typically at altitude or on a steep gradient.
Oxygen and flow are the requirement, not the chemistry. A hill-stream species in still water at the right pH is being kept badly, and the failure is slow enough that the keeper usually blames something else.
- Conductivity
- 50–300 µS/cm
- Flow
- high
- Dissolved oxygen
- near saturation
- Seasonality
- moderate
These are figures for the KIND of water body, not measurements of this species. They are AquariumHQ’s summary of the general limnology and are given wide because the water is.
- TemperatureReasoned on this record
- This record states its own reason for this band. See the water section.
- pHReasoned on this record
- This record states its own reason for this band. See the water section.
- General hardnessReasoned on this record
- This record states its own reason for this band. See the water section.
| Requirement | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 19–25 °C (66–77 °F) | Stability matters more than hitting an exact figure. |
| pH | 6.8–7.8 | A stable pH outside the ideal band is usually better than an unstable one inside it. |
| General hardness | 5–15 °dGH | Check your supplier's published figure before choosing species. |
| Minimum volume | 300 L (79 US gal) | A floor, not a recommendation. |
| Minimum footprint | 150 cm long × 45 cm deep | A shoal of sixteen-centimetre fish that swim continuously against current. Length is the constraint and the group multiplies it. |
| Water flow | high | Match the outflow to this rather than to the filter's rating. |
| Lid required | Yes | This species jumps. |
| Structure | Rock, gravel and strong flow with open swimming length. Planting is optional and the current is not. |
Behaviour
- Holds station facing into flow and moves the length of the tank in coordinated passes.
- Colours intensify with age and with competition; a lone juvenile shows very little of the red the species is bought for.
Telling males from females
Females are deeper-bodied. There is no reliable colour difference and the species is not readily sexed in the aquarium.
Feeding
Takes invertebrates and plant material in a fast-flowing river. A varied diet with some vegetable content suits it and it will eat soft plants otherwise.
- Diet type
- Omnivore
- Staples
- Sinking pellets, Frozen bloodworm, Blanched courgette, Quality flake
Breeding
- Strategy
- Eggs scattered in flowing water over gravel
- Difficulty
- rarely achieved
- Parental care
- none
Commercial production exists on a small scale and most trade stock has historically been wild-caught, which is what drove the collection pressure.
Tankmates and compatibility
Assessments are derived from stored traits by the compatibility engine, with the reasoning shown. A verdict is a statement about probability, not a guarantee — individual temperament can override it.
| Towards | Risk | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Small fish | moderate | Anything that fits in the mouth is at risk once this species reaches adult size. |
| Adult dwarf shrimp | high | Cover reduces losses but rarely prevents them where the risk is high. |
| Shrimplets | near-certain | Determines whether a shrimp colony can grow rather than merely persist. |
| Snails | none | Applies to snails you wanted as well as snails you did not. |
| Long or trailing fins | none | Fin damage is an entry point for secondary infection. |
| Plants | nibbles | Tough species such as Anubias and Java fern survive most grazers. |
Any pair in the catalogue can be assessed with the compatibility checker.
Welfare considerations
Points where the way this species is commonly sold or kept differs from what it actually needs.
- Restricted to one small river system and assessed as at risk, with aquarium collection identified as a contributing pressure. Captive-bred stock is preferable where it is available.
- India restricts the export of this genus. Fish reaching international markets legally are farmed rather than wild-caught, and provenance is worth asking about.
Problems to watch for
Most problems in a tank containing this species are general rather than species-specific. Start with the troubleshooting index and work from the observation rather than from a guess at the cause.
What AquariumHQ does not yet hold
Species-level disease susceptibility is modelled in the graph and is not yet populated. Health pages will not be published until each condition has veterinary sourcing, because health content written without evidence is the most harmful thing this product could publish. The gap is recorded in the coverage report.
Where it comes from
- Native range
- India — the Chalakudy river system of Kerala, in the Western Ghats
- Habitat
- Fast clear hill-river reaches over rock and gravel, with high oxygen and cool water.
Legal status and responsible practice
Restriction note
India has imposed export restrictions on Sahyadria denisonii and its close relatives in response to collection pressure. The rules govern export from India rather than private keeping elsewhere, and the position has changed more than once; check the current rules rather than relying on a summary.
Never release aquarium life into the wild
Aquarium animals, plants, and aquarium water must never be released into ponds, rivers, canals, drains or the sea — not even in a country where the species is sold freely. Released fish and invertebrates establish populations that displace native species, and released plants and water carry pathogens, parasites and fragments capable of spreading without any animal at all. If you can no longer keep an animal, rehome it through an aquarium society, a retailer that accepts returns, or another keeper.
- Rehome through a local aquarium society, a specialist retailer or another keeper.
- Unwanted plants go in household waste or a hot compost heap, never in a watercourse or a garden pond.
- Never empty a bucket of tank water into a drain that discharges to open water.
- If an animal is beyond rehoming, ask an aquatic veterinarian about humane euthanasia rather than releasing it.
Legal status is recorded from the sources named and was correct on the verification date shown. Rules change, and sub-national rules often differ from national ones. Check the current position with the relevant authority before acquiring, selling or moving any animal or plant.
Evidence
Every stored value with the kind of support behind it and where to check it. Evidence type and confidence are separate axes: an editorial position held confidently and a measurement held tentatively are different things.
| Claim | Value | Evidence type | Confidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| scientific name | Sahyadria chalakkudiensis | Observed / measured | high confidence | Catalogue of Life; GBIF — Global Biodiversity Information Facility |
| native range | India — the Chalakudy river system of Kerala, in the Western Ghats | Observed / measured | moderate confidence | GBIF — Global Biodiversity Information Facility |
| adult size | 12–16 cm | Aquarium-literature consensus | moderate confidence | AquariumHQ husbandry synthesis |
| lifespan | 6–8 years | Aquarium-literature consensus | moderate confidence | AquariumHQ husbandry synthesis |
| temperature | 19–25 °C | Aquarium-literature consensus | moderate confidence | AquariumHQ husbandry synthesis |
| ph | 6.8–7.8 pH | Aquarium-literature consensus | moderate confidence | AquariumHQ husbandry synthesis |
| general hardness | 5–15 °dGH | Aquarium-literature consensus | moderate confidence | AquariumHQ husbandry synthesis |
| minimum tank volume | ≥ 300 L | AquariumHQ editorial position | moderate confidence | AquariumHQ husbandry synthesis |
| minimum tank length | ≥ 150 cm | AquariumHQ editorial position | moderate confidence | AquariumHQ husbandry synthesis |
| minimum group size | ≥ 6 | AquariumHQ editorial position | moderate confidence | AquariumHQ husbandry synthesis |
Last reviewed 2026-08-10. Values labelled as an aquarium-literature consensus are AquariumHQ editorial positions rather than measurements — see how evidence is handled.
Why we say this
What each figure on this page rests on, and how far that is from being independently established.
Every figure on this page has a provenance. Open any claim to see what AquariumHQ holds for it, which sources say what, and what a claim of that kind actually needs. Different claims need different evidence: an accepted scientific name is settled by one authority, while a legal restriction needs a current primary instrument. A single source is often the right answer rather than a thin one.
scientific nameAquariumHQ's own position, externally checkableBased on a verified authoritative source.
AquariumHQ's own position on a claim an external source could support.
What this kind of claim needs: accepted scientific name and classification — 1 authoritative source in an appropriate context. Checked against gbif on 2026-08-29. One authoritative backbone is what this class requires.
What would improve this: Go and read a source. This is reachable and has not been reached.
native rangeAquariumHQ's own position, externally checkableLimited evidence — treat with caution.
AquariumHQ's own position on a claim an external source could support.
What this kind of claim needs: where the species occurs — 1 authoritative source in an appropriate context. No checklist distribution statement is held for this species. The range on the page is editorial until one is.
What would improve this: Go and read a source. This is reachable and has not been reached.
adult sizeAquariumHQ's own position, externally checkableAquariumHQ's own position, derived from evidenced inputs.
AquariumHQ's own position on a claim an external source could support.
What this kind of claim needs: size a well-kept specimen reaches — no external source is required, provided AquariumHQ shows its reasoning. No external source is required for this class. AquariumHQ's position stands on its stated reasoning.
What would improve this: Go and read a source. This is reachable and has not been reached.
lifespanAquariumHQ's own position, externally checkableAquariumHQ's own position, derived from evidenced inputs.
AquariumHQ's own position on a claim an external source could support.
What this kind of claim needs: what aquariumhq advises for keeping — no external source is required, provided AquariumHQ shows its reasoning. No external source is required for this class. AquariumHQ's position stands on its stated reasoning.
What would improve this: Go and read a source. This is reachable and has not been reached.
temperatureAquariumHQ's own position, externally checkableAquariumHQ's own position, derived from evidenced inputs.
AquariumHQ's own position on a claim an external source could support.
What this kind of claim needs: what aquariumhq advises for keeping — no external source is required, provided AquariumHQ shows its reasoning. No external source is required for this class. AquariumHQ's position stands on its stated reasoning.
What would improve this: Go and read a source. This is reachable and has not been reached.
phAquariumHQ's own position, externally checkableAquariumHQ's own position, derived from evidenced inputs.
AquariumHQ's own position on a claim an external source could support.
What this kind of claim needs: what aquariumhq advises for keeping — no external source is required, provided AquariumHQ shows its reasoning. No external source is required for this class. AquariumHQ's position stands on its stated reasoning.
What would improve this: Go and read a source. This is reachable and has not been reached.
general hardnessAquariumHQ's own position, externally checkableAquariumHQ's own position, derived from evidenced inputs.
AquariumHQ's own position on a claim an external source could support.
What this kind of claim needs: what aquariumhq advises for keeping — no external source is required, provided AquariumHQ shows its reasoning. No external source is required for this class. AquariumHQ's position stands on its stated reasoning.
What would improve this: Go and read a source. This is reachable and has not been reached.
minimum tank volumeAquariumHQ's judgement — no authority publishes thisAquariumHQ's own position, derived from evidenced inputs.
No external authority publishes this. The rationale carries the reasoning.
What this kind of claim needs: minimum tank size — no external source is required, provided AquariumHQ shows its reasoning. No authority publishes this. AquariumHQ derives it, and the derivation is recorded with its inputs and assumptions.
What would improve this: Keep the rationale current. There is no source to find.
minimum tank lengthAquariumHQ's judgement — no authority publishes thisAquariumHQ's own position, derived from evidenced inputs.
No external authority publishes this. The rationale carries the reasoning.
What this kind of claim needs: minimum tank size — no external source is required, provided AquariumHQ shows its reasoning. No authority publishes this. AquariumHQ derives it, and the derivation is recorded with its inputs and assumptions.
What would improve this: Keep the rationale current. There is no source to find.
minimum group sizeAquariumHQ's judgement — no authority publishes thisAquariumHQ's own position, derived from evidenced inputs.
No external authority publishes this. The rationale carries the reasoning.
What this kind of claim needs: group size — no external source is required, provided AquariumHQ shows its reasoning. No external source is required for this class. AquariumHQ's position stands on its stated reasoning.
What would improve this: Keep the rationale current. There is no source to find.
Guides relevant to this species
Chosen from this record's own traits rather than listed on every page.
- Schooling and shoalingThis species is recorded as shoal, and the number it is kept in decides how it behaves.
- Predator and prey sizeIt takes adult dwarf shrimp, which decides what can share the tank.
- Native, introduced and invasiveThis record carries an invasive or legal note, and those are five separate claims that are easy to read as one.
- Scientific and trade namesThis species has been published under more than one accepted name.
- Wild conditions and aquarium recommendationsThe water band on this page is an AquariumHQ position with a stated reason, not a measurement of a river.
Group size and social behaviour
A shoaling fish that establishes a loose hierarchy. In small numbers the dominant fish harasses the others continuously.