Bitterlings are peaceful, short lived species, generally surviving only around 5 years. Their maximum size is 11cm but they usually grow much smaller. Their diet is mainly omnivorous and they are a great addition to the coldwater aquarium and are also popular in the koi aquarium as they can feed of the parasites which infect koi. When they mature they develop either a pink or blue hue at the base of their caudal fin.

An ideal aquarium is around 100 litres with lots of plants, either real or artificial with plenty of hiding spaces and need to be fed a variety of foods including vegetables as well as some meaty foods. A good quality flake food as well as freeze dried, live or frozen foods is ideal.