Cherry Barb

The cherry barb (Puntius titteya) is a small, unhurried barb from the shaded forest streams of Sri Lanka, and one of the few members of the group that suits a quiet community tank. Males colour up to a deep brick red when they are settled and displaying to one another, while females stay a softer tan with a dark stripe running the length of the body. The red is not a constant. It comes and goes with mood, light and how secure the fish feels, which is why a planted tank with some shade brings out far more colour than a bare one.

Aquarium care

• Reaches about 5 cm.
• Peaceful, and unusually calm for a barb.
• Keep six or more, with a few females for every male.
• Likes planted cover, floating plants and gentle flow.
• Occupies the middle and lower levels of the tank.
• Omnivorous: flake, micro pellets, frozen daphnia and bloodworm.

A good choice for a small planted community with tetras, rasboras, corydoras and dwarf gouramis. It is not a fin nipper in the way tiger barbs are, so it can be kept with slower fish without much worry.

Stock rotates with each shipment, and livestock is sold for local pickup at our Lethbridge store. See the rest of the current barbs.