Cherry Barb (Puntius titteya)

The Cherry Barb (Puntius titteya) is one of the best beginner community fish in the hobby, a hardy, peaceful little schooler whose males light up a deep cherry red when they display. Easy to keep and endlessly active, a group of them brings constant color and movement to a planted tank. Browse the rest of our freshwater livestock to build the community around them.

Care Guide

Cherry Barbs are famously forgiving and adapt to a wide range of water conditions, which makes them a great first schooling fish. Keep them in a group of six or more so they feel secure and show their best color, and aim for more females than males to keep male chasing in check. Their color pops hardest over a dark substrate in a well-planted tank.

• Minimum tank: 20 gallons for a proper school.
• Water: 73 to 81°F, pH 6.0 to 7.5, soft to moderately hard. Very adaptable.
• Diet: Omnivore with a small mouth. Feed micro pellets and quality flakes, plus frozen or live daphnia, brine shrimp, and bloodworms.
• Behavior: Peaceful, active, and social. Best kept in groups of 6 or more.
• Lifespan: 4 to 6 years with good care.

Specifications

Compatibility

Cherry Barbs are model community citizens. Unlike their Tiger Barb cousins they do not nip fins, so they mix well with almost any peaceful fish of similar size.

• Good tankmates: Small tetras like the Ember Tetra, rasboras, other peaceful barbs such as the Long Fin Odessa Barb, and bottom-dwelling Panda Corydoras.
• Also great with: Honey and dwarf gouramis, kuhli loaches, and algae-eating nerite snails.
• Use caution with: Large or aggressive fish that may eat or bully them, and known fin-nippers.
• Keep a school. A lone Cherry Barb is shy and washed out. Six or more brings out their confidence and color.

Recommended Foods & Supplies

• Hikari Micro Pellets, an ideal small-mouth staple
• Quality tropical flakes, plus frozen daphnia, brine shrimp, and bloodworms for color and conditioning
• Live plants and a dark substrate to show off their red, see our freshwater collection

FAQ

How many should I keep?
At least six. Cherry Barbs are schooling fish and feel safest in a group, where the males also color up to compete for attention.

Are they aggressive like Tiger Barbs?
No. Cherry Barbs are peaceful and do not nip fins, which makes them one of the easiest barbs for a community tank.

Why is one so much redder than the others?
Males are the bright cherry-red fish, especially when displaying. Females are a softer tan-rose with a darker side stripe.

Are they good for beginners?
Yes. They are hardy, adaptable, and forgiving, which makes them one of the best starter schooling fish.