Long Fin Cherry Barb (Puntius titteya) A graceful long-finned variety of the much-loved Cherry Barb, combining vibrant cherry-red colours with elegant flowing fins and a peaceful temperament that's perfect for planted community aquariums. Quick Facts Scientific name: Puntius titteya Common name: Long Fin Cherry Barb Adult size: 4–5 cm Tank size: 60L+ recommended Difficulty: 🟢 Easy Temperament: Peaceful Best kept: Schools of 6 or more Is this for you? ✔️ Perfect if: You love elegant long-finned fish. You keep a peaceful planted community aquarium. You want a colourful yet beginner-friendly species. You enjoy natural schooling behaviour. ❌ Avoid if: You keep fin-nipping fish such as Tiger Barbs. You house aggressive or territorial species. You plan to keep only one or two fish. Your aquarium has very little plant cover. Why choose the Long Fin Cherry Barb? The Long Fin Cherry Barb combines everything aquarists love about the standard Cherry Barb with beautifully elongated fins that create an elegant, flowing appearance. Mature males develop deep cherry-red colouration while females display attractive golden-bronze tones, creating a striking contrast within the school. Their extended fins give them a graceful swimming style as they glide through planted aquariums, weaving effortlessly between plants and driftwood. Despite their refined appearance, they remain hardy, peaceful and easy to care for. Ideal for both beginners and experienced hobbyists, Long Fin Cherry Barbs bring colour, movement and elegance to almost any freshwater community aquarium. Common mistakes Keeping too few individuals. Housing them with fin-nipping species. Providing little plant cover. Allowing poor water quality. Overfeeding. Care made simple Temperature: 22–27°C pH: 6.0–7.5 Diet: Premium flakes, nano pellets, frozen foods and live foods Water: Clean, stable and well-filtered Setup: Well-planted aquarium with driftwood, shaded areas, open swimming space and dark substrate to enhance colour Pairs perfectly with Harlequin Rasboras Honey Gouramis Corydoras Dwarf Rainbowfish Cherry Shrimp and Crystal Shrimp (with dense plant cover) NTA Insight: The Long Fin Cherry Barb offers the same peaceful temperament as the standard Cherry Barb but with an added touch of elegance. Their flowing fins catch the light beautifully as they swim through plants, making them one of the most attractive small barbs available. For the best display, keep a mixed group of males and females over dark substrate with plenty of lush greenery. FAQ How many Long Fin Cherry Barbs should I keep? They are schooling fish and should be kept in groups of at least six. Schools of 8–12 fish display more natural behaviour, greater confidence and richer colouration. Are Long Fin Cherry Barbs peaceful? Yes. They are one of the most peaceful barb species and are ideal for community aquariums with other calm fish. Can they live with shrimp? Yes. Adult Cherry Shrimp and Crystal Shrimp are generally safe, although tiny shrimplets may occasionally be eaten. Dense mosses and fine-leaved plants provide excellent shelter for young shrimp. Can Long Fin Cherry Barbs breed in home aquariums? Yes. They are prolific egg scatterers and breed readily in well-maintained aquariums. Fine-leaved plants or spawning mops improve breeding success, and adults should be removed after spawning to protect the eggs. What makes the Long Fin variety different? The Long Fin Cherry Barb has been selectively bred for its beautifully elongated fins, giving it a graceful appearance while retaining the same hardy nature, peaceful temperament and vibrant colours as the standard Cherry Barb.
