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
Water Parameters
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
Cherry Barb Care 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. To replicate their natural habitat, the tank should include plants - densely covered and leaf litter/blackwater.
As a schooling species, Cherry Barb should be kept in groups of at least 6. 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.
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.
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.
Red Rainbowfish
Glossolepis incisus
Native to Lake Sentani in Indonesia, this species is famous for the brilliant salmon-red coloration of mature males. They are large, active schooling fish that develop a distinct high-arched back as they age. Females are vastly different in appearance (olive-gold). They require hard, alkaline water and plenty of swimming space.
Cherry Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi
One of the most popular and hardy freshwater invertebrates in the hobby. They come in a rainbow of selectively bred colors. They are excellent scavengers and algae eaters, perfect for nano planted tanks. They are completely peaceful and have a negligible bioload, though they are highly vulnerable to predation by almost any fish with a mouth large enough to eat them.
Rummy-Nose Tetra
Hemigrammus rhodostomus
Renowned as the tightest schooling fish in the freshwater hobby. They feature a bright red nose, a silver body, and a black-and-white checkered tail. They are excellent 'indicator fish'; their red noses will fade to pale pink if water quality drops or the fish are stressed. While there are three very similar species (H. rhodostomus, H. bleheri, P. georgiae) often sold under the same name, their care requirements are identical.