Max Size: up to 5 cm

Cherry Barb (Puntius titteya)

Cherry Barbs are one of the most sought after barb species to keep in a community aquarium as it is peaceful, hardy and non-demanding and is not aggressive or nippy.

They do, however, require stable water conditions and will need some places to hide out in as they can be timid sometimes.

The cherry barb hosts beautiful bright brownish-red colouring, a dark horizontal stripe along their body, and the colour of the fins' colour varies from yellowish to red.

Cherry Barbs have a completely different body shape than other barb species; they have more streamlined, skinny bodies than thicker and taller midsections.

Quick Facts
Scientific Name	Puntius titteya
Other Names	Red Barb
Family	Cyprinidae
Genus	Puntius
Origins	Sri Lanka
Temperament	Peaceful
Aquarium Level	Bottom - Middle
Difficulty	Beginner
Shoaling	Yes
Best kept as	Groups 6+
Diet	Omnivore
Reproduction	Egg-Scatterer
Lifespan	3 - 5 years

Water Parameters
Water Type	Freshwater
Temperature	70 - 80 ℉ (21.1 - 26.7 ℃)
PH	7.2 - 7.5
GH	8 - 16
KH	4 - 7
TDS	180 - 250

Male Cherry Barb

Female Cherry Barbs

Male Cherry Barb

Male & Female Cherry Barb

Male Cherry Barb

Female Cherry Barb

Male Cherry Barb

Habitat

Cherry Barbs are native to the freshwater ponds of Sri Lanka.

The South-West areas such as Kelani and Nilwala river valleys, where they live in shadowed surroundings, are due to the thick tree cover where very little light reaches the water surface.

They can be found in shallow, small, and slow-moving rivers and streams with a silt and sandy substrate bottom with a layer of leaves and tree branches.

Other Barbs of interest

African Banded Barb

(Barbus fasciolatus)

Black Ruby Barb

(Pethia nigrofasciata)

Blue Spotted Hill Trout

(Oliotius oligolepis)

Clown Barb

(Barbodes everetti, Puntius everetti, Barbodes dunckeri)

View All Barbs

Diet & Feeding

Cherry Barbs will happily accept most types of food. They can be given flakes or other forms of dried food suitable for tropical fish.

It is also advisable to supplement their diet with occasional treats in vegetables, daphnia, bloodworm, brine shrimp, plankton or similar.

Sexual Dimorphism

Male Cherry barbs are generally more slender, while the females tend to have fuller bodies. The male is also more significant than the female and much more vibrant in colour, whereas the female is more of a dull orange.

Breeding

Cherry barbs are extremely easy to breed and will often spawn as long as you have a dimly lit aquarium, slightly acidic water and plenty of plants because that is where they will scatter their eggs.

A pair will lay 200-300 eggs.

Once the barbs have laid their eggs, it is essential to remove the parents from the tank or remove the eggs from the aquarium to prevent them from predating on the eggs.

Frquently asked questions about the Cherry Barb

Are Cherry Barbs suitable for beginner aquarists?

Cherry Barbs are very peaceful and hardy fish, and they can tolerate a vast range of water parameters, making them perfect for the beginner aquarist as well as more advanced fish keepers.

How big can Cherry Barbs grow?

Cherry Barbs are small elongated fish with a moderately compressed body. Cherry Barbs can grow up to 5 cm in length, with the males being slightly smaller than the females.

What should you feed Cherry Barbs?

In captivity, Cherry barbs are not picky eaters; therefore, they are easily fed. However, suppose you want your fish to be healthier with better colouring. In that case, you should offer them regular meals of small frozen and live foods such as daphnia, bloodworm and brine Shrimp alongside high quality dried food such as granules or flakes, some of which must include additional algal or plant content.

What size aquarium should I house my Cherry Barbs in?

Ideally, Cherry Barbs require a 95-litre aquarium. However, a 115-litre aquarium would be very much appreciated as this extra room will allow your fish to swim around in schools and hide if they feel threatened. Cherry Barbs will thrive in larger tanks, so don't be afraid to add them to larger communities.

What tank mates are suitable for Cherry Barbs?

Cherry Barbs are very peaceful and should be housed with fish that have a similar nature. Rasboras, Platies, Danios, Gouramis, Mollies, Tetras and Otocinclus Catfish all make ideal tankmates for Cherry Barbs. You can also put Shrimp and other invertebrates in an aquarium with Cherry Barbs.

Where did Cherry Barbs Originate?

Cherry Barbs are endemic to Sri Lanka in South Asia. These Barbs are restricted to the Nilwala and Kelani river basins southwest of the island, plus more minor drainages between them. They inhabit clear or slightly stained, slow-moving, calm shallow waters in streams and ponds where the substrates are sandy and covered by a layer of leaf litter with fallen branches and twigs.