Black Ruby Barbs are considered to be of a vulnerable status in their natural habitat. All the specimens offered for sale in the trade these days are captive-bred in order to try and safeguard what remains of the natural population. Black Ruby Barbs are a delightful species which show magnificent colouration when mature and settled into the home aquarium. The drab juveniles are all too often overlooked in the aquatics stores; however, adult males take on a stunning deep ruby red and black colour with flashes of green iridescence shining through.