Temperament / Behavior : The Odessa Barb can be aggressive with other Odessas in the same tank and it is usually the males bickering over a dominance position within the school. They may also nip at slower moving fish with larger fins, such as Angelfish.

around 3 inches
The typical Odessa Barb size is around 3 inches in length when fully grown. This is within the normal range of barb species.

Compatibility: Odessa barbs should be kept in a decent sized group of at least six to ten individuals. Be sure to have a fair mix of males and females.

Like most barbs, the Odessa barb is an active and generally peaceful fish that is best kept in a community tank. It is a schooling fish that can become semi-aggressive towards other tank mates if it is not kept in groups of 5 or more individuals.

Provided there is considerable space, one of the best tankmates for the tiger barb is the clown loach; it will even school with the tiger barbs and act as they do. Alternatively, pair the tiger barb with fast-moving tankmates such as danios, platys, loaches, or catfish.

The Odessa barb originates from freshwater ponds and rivers in Southeast Asia, particularly in central Myanmar. These waters are slightly acidic, with plentiful vegetation and a moderate current.

Tetras are compatible with fish that aren’t too large and won’t mistake them for food. As for their compatibility with Tiger Barbs, you should watch out for fin-nipping. Otherwise, Tetras are great community fish that can live up to 8 years. They’re schooling fish, so make sure you keep them in groups.

Fish chase each other for a variety of reasons, such as defending their territory, establishing dominance, competing for food, and mating. Even fish that are typically docile fish may chase others because of constant stress. This could be due to incompatible tank mates, poor water conditions, or an overcrowded tank.

Habitat. Tiger barbs have been reported to be found in clear or turbid shallow waters of moderately flowing streams. They live in Indonesia, Borneo, tropical climates and prefer water with a 6.0–8.0 pH, a water hardness of 5–19 dGH, and a temperature range of 77 – 82 °F or 25 – 27.8 °C.

Aquarists consider Odessa barb as undemanding and even enduring fish. This is a peaceful schooling fish, that’s why it should be kept in the number of at least 5-6 species with the same peaceful species, except long-finned fishes.

The Odessa barb (Pethia padamya) is a small, bright and active fish. Unfortunately, it is less spread than other barb species. Earlier it was considered that the Odessa barb was one of Puntius ticto coloring variations (which natural coloring doesn’t have wide red stripe along its body peculiar for this species).

Odessa barb is peaceful and not aggressive fish. But like all barb species it should be kept in a school, since if the fish is alone it quickly gets stressed. A school of barbs will look great together with its relatives — tiger barb, denison barb, cherry barb.

In 2008 Pethia padamya was described as a separate species. The word ‘padamya’ from Burmese language means ‘ruby’. The Odessa barb is encountered in Myanmar in Irrawaddy River and its tributary Chindwin River. Also the fish was found in an artificially impounded body in one of the villages.

A school of barbs will look great together with its relatives — tiger barb, denison barb, cherry barb. Zebrafish, neon tetra, molly will also be perfect tank mates. The Odessa barb will successfully coexist with prawns, it doesn’t eat them.

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