A peaceful, schooling cyprinid endemic to the shaded streams of Sri Lanka. Unlike many of its barb cousins, the Cherry Barb is not a fin-nipper and makes an excellent community fish. They thrive in heavily planted aquariums with subdued lighting and leaf litter. Males display a striking cherry-red color, especially during spawning.
At a Glance
Tank Requirements
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Water Parameters
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Temperament & Compatibility
Available Varieties
Each variety inherits the species defaults above. Only differences are highlighted.
Standard / Unsexed
Typical commercial availability, often sold as juveniles. Best kept in a school with a ratio of 1 male to 2 females to prevent females from being continuously harassed.
Differs in 1 trait from base species
Also known as: Juvenile, Mixed School
Male
Males exhibit a striking deep cherry-red coloration. They are slightly slimmer than females and will playfully spar with other males to establish dominance and impress females.
Differs in 2 traits from base species
Also known as: Red Male, Cherry Male
Female
Females are a lighter fawn or orange-brown color with a pronounced dark lateral stripe. They have a noticeably plumper, deeper body, especially when carrying eggs.
Differs in 2 traits from base species
Also known as: Brown Barb, Female Cherry
Albino
A popular color morph lacking dark pigment. Males develop a pinkish-red hue, while females are more yellow-white, both featuring distinctive red eyes.
Differs in 1 trait from base species
Also known as: Albino Cherry Barb
Long Finned / Veiltail
A selectively bred morph featuring extended, flowing fins. Requires gentler flow and a tank completely free of fin-nipping tank mates.
Differs in 2 traits from base species
Also known as: Longfin Cherry Barb, Veiltail Barb
Top Tank Mates
Malaysian Trumpet Snail (MTS)
Melanoides tuberculata
🟢Ideal Tank MatesAssassin Snail
Clea helena
🟢Ideal Tank MatesBristlenose Pleco
Ancistrus cirrhosus
🟢Ideal Tank MatesBolivian Ram
Mikrogeophagus altispinosus
🟢Ideal Tank MatesRamshorn Snail
Planorbidae fam.
🟢Ideal Tank MatesSeverum
Heros severus
🟢Ideal Tank MatesCherry Barb Care Guide Summary
The Cherry Barb, scientifically known as Puntius titteya, belongs to the Cyprinids family group. Adults reach a maximum size of approximately 5 cm and have a fusiform body shape with a moderate growth rate. Classified as peaceful, this species primarily occupies the mid-level and bottom zones of the aquarium and produces a low level of biological waste.
To thrive, the Cherry Barb requires a freshwater only aquarium with a minimum volume of 55 litres and a tank length of at least 60 cm. Water temperature should be maintained between 23°C and 27°C, with a pH range of 6–7.5 and a general hardness of 3–15 dGH. A low water flow is preferred. An aquarium test kit can help you monitor these values.
The Cherry Barb is a rewarding species to keep, provided its core environmental needs are met. This species is available in 5 varieties: Standard / Unsexed, Male, Female, Albino, and Long Finned / Veiltail. Each may differ slightly in size, temperament, or care needs, so it is worth checking the specific requirements of the variety you plan to keep.
Cherry Barb Habitat Setup
When setting up an aquarium for the Cherry Barb, a low water flow best suits their natural preferences. Because this species occupies the mid-level and bottom zones, the aquarium layout should prioritise open swimming space in the centre of the tank for free movement and sufficient floor space with hiding spots among rocks, wood, or dense planting. Useful additions include leaf litter or blackwater tannins to replicate their natural soft-water habitat and dense planting to provide cover, break sightlines, and reduce stress.
Cherry Barb Compatibility Notes
Classified as peaceful, the Cherry Barb is a schooling species that feels most secure in a sizeable group, where natural shoaling behaviour reduces stress and brings out their best colours. Selecting tankmates that favour different water layers from the mid-level and bottom zones can help reduce competition and territorial overlap.
Recommended Tank Sizes
Standard aquarium sizes that meet the minimum volume and length requirements for Cherry Barb.
15 Gallon Standard
20 Gallon High
20 Gallon Long
29 Gallon Standard
30 Gallon Breeder
36 Gallon Bowfront
Show 20 more tank sizes
Frequently Asked Questions About Cherry Barb
How big does Cherry Barb get?
Cherry Barb (Puntius titteya) typically reaches a maximum adult size of approximately 5 cm. They have a fusiform body shape and a moderate growth rate.
What tank size does Cherry Barb need?
A minimum aquarium volume of 55 litres and a tank length of at least 60 cm are recommended for Cherry Barb. This ensures enough swimming space and helps maintain stable water conditions.
What water parameters does Cherry Barb need?
Cherry Barb thrives in freshwater only conditions with a temperature range of 23–27°C, a pH between 6 and 7.5, and a general hardness of 3–15 dGH. A low water flow is preferred.
Is Cherry Barb peaceful or aggressive?
Cherry Barb is classified as peaceful with an aggression score of 2 out of 10. They are generally well-suited to peaceful community tanks.
How many Cherry Barb should be kept together?
Cherry Barb is a schooling species and should be kept in groups of at least 6. Larger groups help distribute aggression and encourage natural schooling behaviour.
Does Cherry Barb have any special tank requirements?
Yes. Cherry Barb benefits from plants - densely covered and leaf litter/blackwater in the aquarium. These features help replicate their natural habitat and promote overall health and well-being.
Similar Species
Denison Barb (Roseline Shark)
Sahyadria denisonii
An endangered, stunningly colored cyprinid endemic to the fast-flowing streams of the Western Ghats in India. Characterized by a torpedo-shaped body with a striking red line and black stripe. They are highly active, fast swimmers that require highly oxygenated water, strong flow, and cooler tropical temperatures. They are strictly shoaling fish and can be skittish if kept in small numbers.
Tiger Barb
Puntigrus tetrazona
A highly active, schooling cyprinid famous for its striking black stripes and infamous reputation as a fin-nipper. They are boisterous and must be kept in larger groups (6+) to keep their pecking order internal. They should never be housed with slow-moving or long-finned tankmates like Bettas, Guppies, or Angelfish.
Odessa Barb
Pethia padamya
A highly active, stunning schooling fish known for the brilliant red lateral stripe running across the males. Originating from central Myanmar, they thrive in slightly cooler, sub-tropical water compared to typical tropical fish. They are robust and peaceful when kept in proper shoals, but may nip fins if stressed or kept in numbers too small.
Rosy Barb
Pethia conchonius
A hardy, active, and colorful subtropical schooling fish. Known for the male's striking rosy-red breeding dress, while females are more golden/silver. They are voracious eaters, very active swimmers, and can be fin-nippers if kept in too small a group. Best kept in cooler water compared to tropical species. The Long Finned morph is also popular but requires gentler flow.
Turquoise Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia lacustris
A stunning, deep-bodied rainbowfish endemic to Lake Kutubu in Papua New Guinea. Famous for their ability to shift colors from deep teal to bright iridescent blue depending on mood and water quality. They are active schooling fish that thrive in hard, alkaline water.
Rainbow Shark
Epalzeorhynchos frenatum
A popular, active freshwater 'shark' (actually a cyprinid) known for its striking red fins contrasting with a dark or albino body. They are highly territorial bottom-dwellers. Only keep one per tank, as they are notoriously aggressive toward their own kind, other 'sharks' (like the Red Tail Shark), and similar-looking bottom feeders.