Cherry barb
Puntius titteya
easy careOverview
The cherry barb (Puntius titteya) is a small, hardy schooling fish and one of the easiest barbs for a community aquarium. Males glow a rich cherry-red — deepest when they feel secure in a group and surrounded by plants. Peaceful, active and undemanding, it is an excellent choice for a planted beginner aquarium and a gentle alternative to more boisterous barbs.
Tank & water
A school of six or more is happy in 75 litres (20 gallons) or larger. Cherry barbs are adaptable but appreciate stable, clean water.
- Temperature: hold 23–27 °C with a reliable heater.
- Filtration: a steady filter keeps water clean; they enjoy a mild current but nothing fierce.
- Water: aim for pH 6.0–7.5 and soft to moderately hard water.
- Planting: dense planting and a darker substrate make males colour up and give shy fish confidence.
Feeding
Cherry barbs are easy-going omnivores. Feed a good-quality flake or micro-pellet once or twice a day, only what they clear in a couple of minutes. Rotate in frozen or freeze-dried treats such as daphnia, bloodworm or brine shrimp for colour and condition. Variety keeps them healthy — see our best fish food picks.
Tankmates
Peaceful and small, cherry barbs mix well with most calm community fish: rasboras, small tetras, corydoras, honey gouramis, dwarf shrimp (adults) and other easy-going species. Because they don’t nip, they are also safe with fancier, longer-finned fish, even a betta in a larger tank. Keep them in a proper group so they shoal rather than hide.
Common care notes
- Keep six or more so they feel secure and stay colourful
- Provide plants and cover to reduce shyness
- Don’t overfeed — small, frequent meals suit them best
- Watch new arrivals; quarantine helps avoid importing disease
Give cherry barbs a planted tank and a proper school, and you get a lively, richly coloured centrepiece that stays peaceful with almost everything.
Cherry barb — frequently asked questions
How many cherry barbs should I keep together?
Keep at least six, and ideally more. Cherry barbs are shoaling fish that feel secure in a group — a decent number keeps them calm, colourful and out in the open. A slightly female-heavy ratio reduces squabbling between males.
Are cherry barbs aggressive?
No. Cherry barbs are among the most peaceful barbs, quite unlike the nippy tiger barb. Males may gently spar over territory or during spawning, but they are safe with other calm community fish and even long-finned tankmates.
What size tank do cherry barbs need?
Around 75 litres (20 gallons) suits a small school with room to swim. They are small fish, but a group needs horizontal space and planted cover to show their best behaviour and colour.
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