The Cherry Barb is one of the most popular and colorful freshwater fish, known for its brilliant red hue, playful schooling behavior, and calm nature. Hardy, adaptable, and peaceful, Cherry Barbs are ideal for both beginner and experienced aquarists who want a lively, low-maintenance species that thrives in community aquariums. With their vivid coloration and graceful movement, these Barb fish instantly brighten any tank and bring a sense of natural harmony to planted aquascapes. Originating from the slow-moving streams and shaded rivers of Sri Lanka, the Cherry Barb (Puntius titteya) is a tropical freshwater species that belongs to the Cyprinidae family, the same group as Danios and Rasboras. Their name comes from the males’ striking cherry-red coloration, which becomes even more intense during breeding. In their natural habitat, Cherry Barbs live in densely vegetated waters, making them perfect for planted tanks with gentle flow and subdued lighting. Their peaceful and social temperament makes them one of the best choices for community aquariums. A full-grown Cherry Barb reaches about 1.5 to 2 inches (3.5–5 cm) in length, making them an excellent small schooling fish for nano and mid-sized aquariums. Males exhibit deep red coloration with a horizontal black stripe, while females are lighter with golden undertones and rounder bodies. Cherry Barbs are peaceful, active, and social fish that thrive in groups. Keeping them in schools of at least 6–8 individuals helps reduce stress and brings out their natural colors and behavior. They coexist beautifully with other calm species such as Tetras, Rasboras, Danios, Gouramis, Corydoras, and snails. Avoid housing them with large or aggressive fish that may nip at their fins. An ideal Cherry Barb tank setup includes live plants, open swimming areas, and soft lighting. Their adaptable nature allows them to thrive in tanks as small as 15 gallons, though larger tanks promote more stable schooling behavior. At Splashy Fish tropical fish store, our Cherry Barbs for sale and other Barb fish for sale are tank-bred, grown, and sold with love and care. Visit our fish store online or aquarium in Virginia for more high-quality freshwater fish for sale, such as betta fish for sale, aquatic plants for sale, freshwater shrimp for sale, and other aquarium supplies. WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM THIS FISH: Peaceful, hardy schooling fish ideal for community tanks Vibrant red coloration with graceful swimming behavior Perfect for planted aquariums and beginner setups Grows up to 2 inches, which is ideal for small and mid-sized tanks Active yet gentle species that thrives in groups RECOMMENDED TANK PARAMETERS: Tank Size: Minimum 15–20 gallons for a small group Temperature: 72°–80°F (22°–27°C) pH: 6.5–7.5 Hardness: 3–12 dGH Filtration: Gentle flow with clean, well-oxygenated water Cherry Barbs Care Guidelines Diet: Omnivorous. Feed a mix of high-quality flakes, micro pellets, and frozen or live foods like brine shrimp, daphnia, or bloodworms. A varied diet enhances color and breeding activity. Tank Setup: Dense planting with areas of open water for swimming. Floating plants help diffuse light and mimic their natural shaded habitat. Behavior: Peaceful schooling fish that do best in groups of 6 or more. Males display brighter colors during breeding or when comfortable in their environment. Cherry Barb Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) How many Cherry Barb should I keep together? Cherry Barbs are social schooling fish and should be kept in groups of at least 6–8 Cherry Barbs. Larger groups help reduce stress, bring out brighter coloration, and promote natural schooling behavior. Keeping enough Cherry Barb fish together also minimizes fin-nipping tendencies and creates a more active, peaceful community aquarium. Are Cherry Barb aggressive? No, Cherry Barbs are peaceful and non-aggressive, making them one of the best barbs for community tanks. They rarely nip fins and tend to stay calm when kept in proper group sizes. Aggression only occurs when they are isolated or overcrowded. With the right environment and group, Cherry Barbs remain gentle, active, and extremely beginner-friendly. Can Cherry Barbs live with Betta fish? Yes, Cherry Barbs can live with Betta fish as long as the tank is spacious and well-planted. Their peaceful nature and calm swimming style make them good Betta tank mates. They do not flare at Bettas and typically avoid confrontation. Provide hiding spots and maintain a stable environment to ensure both species coexist comfortably. { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [{ "@type": "Question", "name": "How many Cherry Barb should I keep together?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Cherry Barbs are social schooling fish and should be kept in groups of at least 6–8 Cherry Barbs. Larger groups help reduce stress, bring out brighter coloration, and promote natural schooling behavior. Keeping enough Cherry Barb fish together also minimizes fin-nipping tendencies and creates a more active, peaceful community aquarium." } },{ "@type": "Question", "name": "Are Cherry Barb aggressive?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "No, Cherry Barbs are peaceful and non-aggressive, making them one of the best barbs for community tanks. They rarely nip fins and tend to stay calm when kept in proper group sizes. Aggression only occurs when they are isolated or overcrowded. With the right environment and group, Cherry Barbs remain gentle, active, and extremely beginner-friendly." } },{ "@type": "Question", "name": "Can Cherry Barbs live with Betta fish?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes, Cherry Barbs can live with Betta fish as long as the tank is spacious and well-planted. Their peaceful nature and calm swimming style make them good Betta tank mates. They do not flare at Bettas and typically avoid confrontation. Provide hiding spots and maintain a stable environment to ensure both species coexist comfortably." } }] }
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