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Cherry Barb
Puntius titteya
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Cyprinidae
📍 Kelani River, Sri Lanka
Male cherry barbs turn a vivid deep red when breeding-conditioned, making them one of the most colourful small barbs available. Unlike many barbs they are peaceful and non-nippy, suiting them to community planted tanks with other peaceful species.
Care Guide
Diet
Cherry barbs are omnivores that thrive on a varied diet of high-quality flake food and micro pellets as staples, supplemented 2-3 times weekly with live or frozen foods such as daphnia and bloodworms. Feed small amounts once daily, only what they can consume in 2-3 minutes, to maintain water quality and prevent overfeeding.
Behavior
Cherry barbs are peaceful, schooling fish that display their most vibrant coloration—deep red in males—when kept in groups of 6 or more. They are active mid-water swimmers that spend most of their time foraging and interacting with tankmates, showing minimal aggression compared to other barb species. Males may display mild competitive behavior during breeding season but rarely cause harm.
Breeding
Breeding cherry barbs in captivity is moderately difficult and requires conditioning with live foods, slightly acidic water (pH 6.0–6.5), and temperatures around 26–27°C. Provide dense vegetation or spawning mops as the fish are egg scatterers and do not guard fry; remove adults after spawning to prevent predation. Fry are tiny and require infusoria or liquid fry food initially.
Tank Mates
Peaceful bottom-dweller with identical water parameters; helps control algae without competing for space
Similar size, peaceful temperament, and water requirements; creates a colorful community display
Peaceful and compatible, though may occasionally chase during breeding; provide adequate space and plants
Peaceful invertebrates that share water parameters; barbs may occasionally nip at shrimp, so provide dense vegetation
Hardy plant that provides shelter and breeding sites without being uprooted by barbs
Common Diseases
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, lethargy, rubbing against objects
Raise temperature gradually to 28–29°C, perform daily 25% water changes, and treat with aquarium salt (1 teaspoon per 5 gallons) or commercial ich medication for 7–10 days
Fin Rot
Frayed or disintegrating fin edges, discoloration, lethargy
Improve water quality with frequent partial water changes, remove any sharp tank décor, and treat with antibacterial medication if condition worsens
Bacterial Infection
Sores, ulcers, or red patches on body; cloudy eyes; loss of appetite
Perform 30% water change immediately, maintain pristine water conditions, and treat with broad-spectrum antibiotic medication if infection spreads
Velvet Disease (Oodinium)
Fine golden or rust-colored dust on body, rapid breathing, scratching behavior, clamped fins
Increase aeration, raise temperature to 28°C, perform daily water changes, and treat with copper-free medication or salt baths for 7–10 days
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Quick Facts
- diet
- Omnivore – flake, micro pellets, daphnia, blood worms
- lifespan
- 5–7 years
- max size
- 5 cm (2 in)
- tank size
- 10 gallons minimum
- school size
- 6+
- temperament
- Peaceful
Water it likes
- ph
- 6.0–7.5
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 2–15 dGH
- temperature
- 73–81°F (23–27°C)