Cherry Barb Care Guide
Puntius titteya · Easy care · 20 gallon minimum
A peaceful, deep-red barb (unlike its nippy cousins) that shoals beautifully in a planted tank.
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How big does a cherry barb get?
A cherry barb (Puntius titteya) reaches about 2.0 inches as an adult. Plan tank size and tank mates around the adult size, not the small fish you buy at the store.
Tank size & setup
Give a cherry barb a minimum of 20 gallons, with water at 73–81°F and a pH of 6–7.5. Keep them in groups of at least 6 — they are shoaling fish and become stressed and washed-out alone. As a easy-care, omnivore species, a stable, cycled tank with the right diet keeps them healthiest.
Good tank mates
Pair a cherry barb with peaceful species that share its temperature and pH range. Compatible options include:
- Neon Tetra — 1.5", 10g min
- Guppy — 2.0", 10g min
- Molly — 4.0", 20g min
- Platy — 2.5", 10g min
- Zebra Danio — 2.0", 10g min
About the cherry barb
The cherry barb is a tropical freshwater fish belonging to the family Cyprinidae. It is endemic to Sri Lanka, and introduced populations have become established in Mexico and Colombia. The cherry barb was named Puntius titteya by Paules Edward Pieris Deraniyagala in 1929. Synonyms include Barbus titteya and Capoeta titteya. It is the only species in the genus Rohanella.
Recommended gear for cherry barbs
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