Sahyadria denisonii
An active, river-system barb with a striking red-tipped tail and a black-and-gold lateral stripe. Endangered in the wild and protected by Indian export limits, captive-bred fish are the right purchase. Needs a long tank with flow.
Roseline Shark (Sahyadria denisonii) reaches 12–15 cm as an adult and needs a minimum tank of 250 L. Native to Western Ghats, India, it lives in the mid water column with a peaceful temperament. Aim for 18–25 °C, pH 6.5–7.8, and 5–20 dGH hardness. Lifespan is 5–8 years with good care. Keep roseline shark in groups of 6+, yes schoolers need numbers to display natural behaviour. Diet: omnivore, Sinking pellet, flake, frozen bloodworm, blanched veg. Plant-safe: Yes. Shrimp-safe: No (size + activity).
Care at a glance
An active, river-system barb with a striking red-tipped tail and a black-and-gold lateral stripe. Endangered in the wild and protected by Indian export limits, captive-bred fish are the right purchase. Needs a long tank with flow.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated 1 min read
Part of our complete guide to aquarium fish for the planted tank.
The parameters that decide whether roseline shark fits in your tank.
Mid
Yes
Group of 6+
Cyprinidae
Omnivore
Sinking pellet, flake, frozen bloodworm, blanched veg.
5–8 yrs
Very hard
Western Ghats, India
Western Ghats, India
Tank-mate safety and the species this one is documented to thrive (or fail) alongside.
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
Roseline Shark (Sahyadria denisonii) needs a minimum tank of 250 L. They live in the mid water column and should be kept in groups of 6+, so a longer footprint matters more than depth.
Target 18–25 °C, pH 6.5–7.8, and 5–20 dGH hardness. Acclimate slowly when moving them between water sources.
Shrimp safety: No (size + activity). Plant safety: Yes.
Roseline Shark are omnivore. Sinking pellet, flake, frozen bloodworm, blanched veg.
On Fin & Stem's 1–5 difficulty scale this species rates 3/5. Intermediate, stable parameters and a mature tank matter. Breeding difficulty: very hard.
Typical lifespan in a well-maintained tank is 5–8 years.
A planted tank is a system. Pair this fish with one entry from each other pillar to plan the whole scape.
