Sawbwa barb

The Sawbwa barb (Sawbwa resplendens), also known as the Asian rummy-nose or Asian rummy-nose rasbora, is a small cyprinid endemic to Lake Inlé and its associated watershed in Shan State, eastern Myanmar. It reaches only 25-35 mm (1.0-1.4 in) in length and exhibits a striking colour pattern: males display a bright red snout and caudal fin with a silvery body and a characteristic black spot at the base of the tail, while females are plainer. The species is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List due to sedimentation, eutrophication, and introduced predatory fish species in its shrinking natural habitat.

This species requires cool, well-oxygenated water and is best suited to a heavily planted aquarium of at least 54 L (14 gal) with a dark substrate, dense vegetation, and floating plants to create broken lines of sight. Water flow should be gentle. The recommended temperature range of 18-22°C (64-72°F) means a heater is often unnecessary in most indoor environments. pH should be maintained at 6.0-8.0 with moderate hardness of 54-268 ppm. Despite their peaceful disposition toward other species, males engage in continual dominance battles, so a female-to-male ratio of at least 4:1 is strongly recommended.

Sawbwa barbs are shoaling rather than true schooling fish and should be kept in groups of at least six. They thrive on a diet of small live and frozen foods such as Daphnia, Artemia, and microworm, though they will accept high-quality dried foods of suitable size. Their small size and peaceful nature toward non-conspecifics make them suitable for nano tanks with other small, cool-water species, but they should not be housed with larger or more boisterous fish. Breeding in captivity is possible but infrequently reported.