Cherry Barb
Puntius titteya
Min Tank Size
60L
Adult Size
5 cm
Lifespan
5 years
School Size
6+
About
Native to the shaded, slow-moving streams and forest pools of Sri Lanka, cherry barbs have been a staple of the hobby for decades and for good reason. Males in breeding condition flush a vivid, almost metallic red that looks absolutely stunning against green aquatic plants. Females are subtler, a warm pinkish-tan with a dark lateral stripe, but they hold their own in a well-lit planted tank. Both sexes carry that same horizontal stripe running from nose to tail, which gives the species a clean, elegant profile even when colors aren't at their peak.
They stay small, topping out around 5 cm, and they don't trash plants or bulldoze the tank like some of their barb cousins can. Water chemistry is forgiving. 5 with soft to moderately hard water, which makes them a great fit for the average tap in most regions. A temperature range of 23 to 27 degrees Celsius keeps them comfortable, and they'll thrive in a heavily planted setup with subdued lighting and some leaf litter on the substrate.
Diet is simple. They'll take quality flake and micro-pellets without complaint, and occasional treats like daphnia or frozen bloodworm will bring out their best coloration and encourage spawning behavior.
Keep a group of at least six and you'll start to see the males display and posture for dominance without any real aggression. It's a lively, engaging little fish that rewards minimal effort with a lot of color.
Water Parameters
Temperature
°CpH
GH
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dKHSwimming Level
Flow Preference
Keeping multiple Cherry Barb together
Cherry Barb are shoaling fish and need company of their own kind. Keep a group of at least 6. Smaller groups leave them stressed, washed-out in color, and prone to hiding.
Compatibility
Cherry barbs work with a huge range of community fish. They're commonly kept alongside other small schooling species like neon tetras, ember tetras, and harlequin rasboras without any friction. Corydoras catfish make a natural pairing since they occupy different levels of the tank. Avoid large or nippy tankmates. Tiger barbs will absolutely shred cherry barb fins, and anything big enough to swallow a 5 cm fish shouldn't share a tank with them. Dwarf shrimp like neocaridina or caridina are sometimes picked at, especially juveniles and molting adults, so that combination requires some caution and plenty of plant cover to improve survival odds.
Commonly kept with
Species this one is most often paired withCommonly tried but avoid
Often paired, but shouldn't beCare Notes
The most common mistake is keeping too few. A pair or trio will be shy and stressed, spending most of their time hiding. A group of six or more transforms the dynamic completely and brings out the red coloration and natural behavior males are known for. They prefer a planted tank with some flow but not a strong current, closer to their native slow-water habitat. Don't skip the lid either. They're not notorious jumpers, but they can startle and clear a low rimless tank if something spooks them.
Behavior & Aggression
Cherry barbs are one of the most genuinely peaceful barbs you can keep. They don't fin nip, they don't terrorize smaller fish, and conspecific squabbles are almost entirely display-based. Males will chase and posture at each other to establish pecking order, but it rarely escalates into anything that causes damage. The main aggression concern is breeding behavior. A motivated male can harass a single female relentlessly, so keeping at least two females per male spreads that attention out and prevents one fish from being worn down.
Things to Know
- Males may harass females heavily when breeding; keep 2+ females per male
- Small enough to be eaten by larger fish; choose tankmates carefully
- May pick at small dwarf shrimp, especially juveniles
- Can be shy without a proper school of 6 or more.
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