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.
Cherry Barb At a Glance
Cherry Barb Tank Requirements
Will Cherry Barb fit in your tank?
Care guides tell you what Cherry Barb needs, the next question is whether your tank can safely provide it. Test Cherry Barb against your tank size, maintenance needs, and the fish you already keep before you buy.
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Cherry Barb Water Parameters
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Cherry Barb Temperament & Compatibility
Cherry Barb 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
Cherry 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.
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.
Cherry Barb 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
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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.
Top Tank Mates for Cherry Barb
These fish are strong compatibility matches for Cherry Barb based on water preferences, temperament, adult size, and tank behavior.
Golden Bristlenose Pleco
Ancistrus sp. L144
Ideal Tank MatesBanded Gourami
Trichogaster fasciata
Ideal Tank MatesMalaysian Trumpet Snail (MTS)
Melanoides tuberculata
Ideal Tank MatesAssassin Snail
Anentome helena
Ideal Tank MatesBristlenose Pleco
Ancistrus cf. cirrhosus
Ideal Tank MatesHorned Nerite Snail
Clithon corona
Ideal Tank MatesPlants That Suit Cherry Barb
These plants pair well with Cherry Barb based on shared water preferences, layout fit, and how likely they are to hold up in the same aquarium.
Amazon Frogbit
Limnobium laevigatum
Asian Watergrass
Hygroryza aristata
Asian Watermoss
Salvinia cucullata
Beckett's Water Trumpet
Cryptocoryne beckettii
Broad-leaved Crypt
Cryptocoryne pontederiifolia
Carolina Fanwort
Cabomba caroliniana
Fish Similar to Cherry Barb
Black Ruby Barb
Pethia nigrofasciata
An active, schooling cyprinid endemic to the shaded forest streams of Sri Lanka. They are peaceful but highly energetic, making excellent community fish for cooler tropical setups. Unlike the notorious Tiger Barb, Black Rubies are generally peaceful and rarely nip fins, provided they are kept in a proper shoal of at least 6. Their deep colors emerge best in heavily planted, slightly dim environments.
Melon Barb
Haludaria fasciata
An active, schooling cyprinid endemic to the flowing rivers of Southern India. They are named for the stunning red/pink 'melon' coloration males develop, which contrasts beautifully with their dark vertical bands. They are energetic swimmers that require plenty of open swimming space and must be kept in groups to curb potential fin-nipping behavior.
Chinese Barb (Green Barb)
Puntius semifasciolatus
A hardy, active, and peaceful schooling cyprinid originally from the Red River basin in Asia. While the wild form is a metallic green/silver, a highly popular selectively bred yellow morph (the 'Gold Barb') dominates the aquarium trade. They are distinctly subtropical and thrive in unheated or cooler water setups.
Five Banded Barb
Desmopuntius pentazona
A small, peaceful, and beautifully colored schooling cyprinid native to the blackwater peat swamps of Southeast Asia. Often confused with the much more aggressive Tiger Barb, the Five Banded Barb is entirely peaceful and will not nip fins. They are somewhat shy and require a well-planted tank with dim lighting or floating plants to feel secure and show their best reddish-orange colors.
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.