Cherry Barb
Puntius titteya
Also known as Cherry
Edited by Ivan F. · Reviewed
Beginner verdict
A gentle little barb whose males turn cherry red when they feel settled. Unlike its nippier cousins, it is generally very peaceful and has no special water needs, so it fits most beginner communities. Plants, shade and a decent group help it show its finest color.
Care at a glance
- Min tank size
- 14 US gal
- Footprint
- 24 x 12 in
- Temperature
- 68–81 °F
- pH
- 6–8
- Hardness
- 2–20 dGH
- Swim zone
- Mid-Water
- Min group
- 6 fish
- Lifespan
- 4–7 years
Cherry Barb care mistakes to avoid
The mistakes beginners most often make with this species.
- Do not buy just one or two. Keep at least 6 fish so they feel secure.
- Do not confuse it with nippy barbs. Cherry barbs are calm and should not be housed with fin nippers.
- Provide plants and shade, because males lose their deep red in bright, bare tanks.
- Buy a mixed group. Males only show their strongest color when females are present.
- Check your tank before you buy. Our sourced minimum is 14 US gallons.
Cherry Barb tank mates and swim zone
Mid-Water
Spends most of its time in this part of the tank.
Poecilia reticulata
Poecilia wingei
Xiphophorus maculatus
Xiphophorus hellerii
Poecilia sphenops
Trichogaster chuna
Boraras brigittae
Chili Rasbora is small and shy, and is easily outcompeted for food by Cherry Barb.
Danio margaritatus
Celestial Pearl Danio is small and shy, and is easily outcompeted for food by Cherry Barb.
Betta splendens
Betta often does best alone. Only try this in a larger, planted tank, and watch closely.
Ancistrus cirrhosus
Bristlenose Pleco is much larger than Cherry Barb and may frighten or even eat it.
Carassius auratus
Goldfish suit cooler water and are not suited to tropical tanks, so Cherry Barb is a poor match.
Cherry Barb feeding and care
How to feed
- Feed flakes or pellets, plus some vegetable matter.
- Add frozen daphnia or brine shrimp to intensify the males' color.
- Feed small portions you can see finished within a couple of minutes, because overfeeding fouls the water fast.
Telling males from females
Adult males are noticeably smaller, slimmer and redder than females, especially when ready to spawn.
Plants that suit it
Species facts
- Family
- Cyprinidae
- Native to
- Sri Lanka
- Adult size
- 2 in (5 cm)
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social needs
- Schooling/Shoaling (6+)
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Water flow
- Gentle
- Substrate
- Any
- Live plants
- Yes - Loves Plants
- Shrimp
- Adult Shrimp Only
- Fin nipping
- None
- Vulnerable to nippers
- No
- Breeding
- Easy Egg-Scatterer
Cherry Barb FAQ
What size tank do Cherry Barbs need?
Our sourced minimum is 14 US gallons (54 liters), with a footprint of 60 x 30 cm. A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable.
How many Cherry Barbs should I keep?
Keep at least 6 fish. Bigger groups usually look better and behave more confidently.
What can live with Cherry Barbs?
Good matches on our list include Fancy Guppy, Endler's Livebearer and Platy. Avoid Goldfish.
How long do Cherry Barbs live?
Care guides report about 4–7 years. Stable water and a good diet make the biggest difference.
Are cherry barbs fin nippers?
Generally no. Unlike tiger barbs, they are calm, which makes them one of the safest barbs for a peaceful community.
Where to buy Cherry Barb
Stores that list it under the same scientific name as this page. We earn nothing from these links. We have not bought from them, so check each store's own terms.
We have not found a store that sells Cherry Barb under its scientific name yet. We add stores as we confirm them.
Live animals and plants travel by courier. Check the store's live-arrival guarantee, and only buy once your tank has cycled (see how to cycle a fish tank).
Some US states restrict certain species. Check our US state aquarium rules table and your state's own rules before you buy.
Complete the tank
A forgiving setup with room for a small community.
Tank size for this species
At least 14 US gallons (54 L), 60 x 30 cm footprint
Filter
Hang-on-back or large sponge filter
Easy to maintain and strong enough for a community without blasting the fish.
We are still choosing products for this.
Heater
Adjustable heater, about 5 W per gallon: 100 W at 20 gallons, about 150 W at 29
Enough power to hold a stable temperature in most homes. Size up for a cold room.
We are still choosing products for this.
Water Conditioner
Dechlorinator such as Seachem Prime
Tap water contains chlorine or chloramine that harms fish.
Seachem Prime US
Fritz Complete Water Conditioner US
API Betta Water Conditioner US
sera aquatan Spain
Tetra AquaSafe Spain
Maker's page · Sold at Kiwoko · Sold at Tiendanimal · Sold at zooplus.es
Why we chose these (Best Water Conditioner for Betta Fish). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Test Kit
Liquid kit such as API Freshwater Master
Tracks ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH while the tank cycles.
API Freshwater Master Test Kit US
API General & Carbonate Hardness Test Kit US
Maker's page · Sold at The Shrimp Farm · Sold at Bulk Reef Supply
sera aqua-test box (Cl) Spain
JBL PROAQUATEST COMBISET Plus NH4 Spain
Why we chose these (Best Test Kit for a Freshwater Aquarium). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Cycle the tank before adding animals. See our guide on how to cycle a fish tank.