Care guide at a glance
Rhodeus ocellatus
Description
A small coldwater cyprinid, silver for most of the year and flushing pink-purple on breeding males. Notable for a breeding strategy that depends entirely on freshwater mussels.
Feeding
Omnivorous. Flake, pellets, frozen foods and vegetable matter.
Compatibility
Peaceful and sociable. Keep in groups of six or more with other coldwater or subtropical species. Not suitable for a tropical community.
Behaviour and personality
Active and constantly grazing. Males colour up strongly in spring and defend a territory around a mussel.
Before you buy
Genuinely a coldwater fish and well suited to an unheated tank or a pond in temperate conditions. It can only spawn where live freshwater mussels are present, which is worth knowing if breeding interests you.
DX courier delivery is £20 per livestock order.
Delivery is scheduled for your selected delivery date and typically arrives before 1pm.
There is no minimum or maximum order value.
Additional information:
- In-stock livestock orders will be processed and dispatched for delivery on the date selected on the cart/basket page.
- Available delivery days are Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
- If any stock issues affect your chosen delivery date, we will contact you as soon as possible by email or telephone.
- Shipping for dry goods is charged separately from livestock delivery. Dry goods are dispatched according to our standard delivery policy.
- All livestock remains covered by our 7-day guarantee.