Roseline Shark / Denison Barb (Sahyadria denisonii)

Bring a masterpiece of natural color to your tank with the Roseline Shark, also widely known as the Denison Barb or Red-Lined Torpedo Barb. Famed for its sleek, torpedo-shaped body, vibrant red "racing stripe," and distinct yellow and black tail markings, this fish is a top-tier choice for aquarists seeking a large, active, and peaceful schooling species.

Quick Stats & Origin

• Scientific Name: Sahyadria denisonii

• Origin: Native to the fast-flowing, oxygen-rich rivers and streams of the Western Ghats in South India.

• Adult Size: 4.5–6 inches.

• Lifespan: 5–8 years.

Care & Environment

Roseline Sharks are considered "intermediate" in care, primarily because they require high water quality and plenty of oxygen. They are highly active and need a setup that accommodates their constant movement.

• Tank Size: A minimum of 55 gallons is required, though a 75-gallon (4-foot long) tank is much better suited for a school. Length is more important than height for these "torpedo" swimmers.

• Water Flow: They thrive in environments with moderate to high water flow. Using a powerhead or a strong canister filter return will mimic their natural river habitat.

• Decor: Use a mix of large river stones, driftwood, and hardy plants like Anubias or Crinum. Because they are fast swimmers, ensure the center of the tank remains open and free of clutter.

• Water Parameters:

  • Temperature: 68°F to 77°F (20°C–25°C). They prefer slightly cooler, stable temperatures.

  • pH: 6.5–7.8.

  • Oxygen: High oxygenation is critical; use air stones or surface agitation.

Feeding & Diet

These barbs are enthusiastic omnivores. A varied diet is essential to maintaining the "neon" intensity of their red stripes.

• Daily Diet: High-quality sinking pellets or high-protein flakes.

• Color Enhancement: Provide regular feedings of frozen or live bloodworms, brine shrimp, and mysis shrimp.

• Vegetable Matter: They will occasionally graze on algae and appreciate spirulina-based foods or blanched spinach.

Tank Mates

Roseline Sharks are peaceful community residents but are very fast, which can stress out extremely shy or slow-moving fish.

• Ideal Partners: Larger Tetras (like Congo Tetras), Rainbowfish, peaceful Cichlids (like Angelfish or Severums), and various Loaches or Corydoras.

• Social Needs: They must be kept in a group of 6 or more. In a school, they are less skittish and display a beautiful "follow-the-leader" swimming behavior.

• Avoid: Very small fish that might be accidentally intimidated by their size and speed, or overly aggressive large cichlids.

Breeding

Breeding Roseline Sharks in the home aquarium is extremely rare. Most fish available in the hobby are either sustainably wild-caught or produced in large commercial facilities using hormone induction. They are egg-scatterers that typically spawn in response to the massive water chemistry changes associated with the monsoon season, which is difficult to replicate in a standard home setup.

Pro Tip: Roseline Sharks are incredible jumpers! Always ensure your aquarium has a secure, tight-fitting lid to prevent any "torpedoes" from launching out of the tank.

PLEASE READ BEFORE ORDERING

• The photos shown on fish product pages are representations of adult fish and are NOT the actual fish that you will be receiving. 
• Please visit our “Ordering/Shipping fish” page prior to checking out to familiarize yourself with our process.
• We ship fish exclusively using overnight shipping with either FedEx or UPS. We will not ship fish with lesser expensive shipping services like “Ground” or “Priority Mail”. This is to ensure the safety of the fish. 
• Unless specified, all fish are sold as unsexed.