Cherry Barb
Puntius titteya
Family: Cyprinidae • Origin: South Asia
Cherry Barbs are the peaceful alternative to tiger barbs. Males turn deep cherry red when displaying. Hardy, calm, and beautiful.
Min Tank
10 gal
Max Size
2"
Temperature
73-81°F
pH
6-7.5
Lifespan
5 years
School Size
6+
Swim Level
middle
Hardness
4-15 dGH
peacefulbeginneromnivoreschooling
Care Tips
- • Males turn deep red when competing
- • Completely peaceful unlike tiger barbs
- • Keep in groups of 6+
- • Hardy and easy to breed
- • Great in planted tanks
Feeding: Flakes, pellets, frozen foods. Easy to feed.
Compatibility Notes: Unlike tiger barbs, cherry barbs are completely peaceful. Males turn deep cherry red. Great community fish.
Tank Setup & Water Parameters
Tank Requirements
- Minimum Tank Size
- 10 gallons
- Recommended Tank Size
- 20 gallons
- Swimming Level
- middle
- Minimum School Size
- 6+ fish
Water Parameters
- Temperature
- 73–81°F
- pH Range
- 6–7.5
- Hardness (dGH)
- 4–15
- Water Type
- freshwater
Behavior & Temperament
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Aggression Level
- 1/5
- Schooling
- Yes
- Territorial
- No
- Fin Nipper
- No
- Predatory
- No
- Diet Type
- omnivore
- Growth Rate
- moderate
Unlike tiger barbs, cherry barbs are completely peaceful. Males turn deep cherry red. Great community fish.
Breeding
- Breeding Type
- egg layer
- Breeding Difficulty
- easy
- Lifespan
- 5 years
Ideal For
10 galloncommunitybeginnersplanted tank
Compatible Tank Mates
View all →
Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
70-81°FpH 6-710+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.5"
Cardinal Tetra
Paracheirodon axelrodi
73-81°FpH 4.5-6.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2"
Ember Tetra
Hyphessobrycon amandae
73-84°FpH 5.5-75+ gal
peacefulschooling 8+0.8"
Rummy Nose Tetra
Hemigrammus rhodostomus
75-84°FpH 5.5-720+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2.5"
Black Neon Tetra
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
73-81°FpH 5.5-7.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.6"
Serpae Tetra
Hyphessobrycon eques
72-82°FpH 6-7.520+ gal
semi-aggressiveschooling 6+1.75"
Similar Species
Rosy Barb
Pethia conchonius
64-77°FpH 6.5-7.520+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+4"
Gold Barb
Barbodes semifasciolatus
64-75°FpH 6-7.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+3"
Odessa Barb
Pethia padamya
72-79°FpH 6.5-7.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2.5"
Melon Barb
Haludaria fasciata
72-79°FpH 6-710+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+3"