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Cherry Barb (Puntius titteya) – A Practical Guide by Aquapro
Overview
The Cherry Barb is a small, resilient species of cyprinid originating from the forested streams of southwest Sri Lanka. It’s widely appreciated in the aquarium trade for its peaceful temperament, compact size, and the male’s bright red breeding colouration. Easy to care for and compatible with a variety of community fish, it’s a reliable species for both new and experienced aquarists.
Natural Habitat
In the wild, Cherry Barbs inhabit calm, shaded waters—slow-moving streams and pools with dense vegetation and soft substrates of leaf litter and silt. The water chemistry in these environments tends to be slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6.0–7.0), with relatively soft hardness levels and stable temperatures between 23°C and 28°C. Deforestation and habitat degradation have impacted their natural range, but captive breeding is well established globally.
Aquarium Setup
For optimal health and natural behaviour, Cherry Barbs benefit from an aquarium that mimics their native habitat. Ideal conditions include:
- Planted aquascape with dense foliage and open swimming areas
- Low to moderate lighting
- Water parameters: temperature 23–27°C, pH 6.0–7.5, GH up to 15 dGH
- Darker substrate or background to reduce stress and encourage better colouration
A group of six or more is recommended. Males develop a deep red hue during breeding periods, while females are more subdued in colour, with a horizontal stripe and a bronzed body tone. A higher ratio of females can help reduce competitive behaviour among males.
Breeding
Cherry Barbs are egg scatterers and readily spawn in captivity. Conditioning with live or frozen foods (e.g., daphnia, bloodworms) and regular water changes often stimulate spawning. Use of fine-leaved plants such as Java moss provides suitable spawning surfaces.
Spawning usually occurs early in the day. Eggs are deposited on plants or smooth surfaces and hatch within 36 hours. Adults will eat the eggs if not removed post-spawn. Fry become free-swimming within a few days and require microscopic food like infusoria initially, followed by Otohime fish food or baby brine shrimp as they grow.
Tankmates and Compatibility
Cherry Barbs are peaceful, schooling fish that do well in community aquariums. They are generally non-aggressive and avoid conflict. Suitable tank mates include:
- Harlequin rasboras
- Small peaceful tetras
- Corydoras species
- Otocinclus