Cherry Barb - Albino Short Fin

The cherry barb (Puntius titteya) is a small, peaceful freshwater fish native to Sri Lanka, highly valued for its hardiness and striking color. Named for the male's vibrant red spawning colors, this schooling fish thrives in community tanks and is exceptionally easy to care for, making it ideal for beginners.

Quick Facts

• Common Name: Cherry Barb
• Scientific Name: Puntius titteya
• Lifespan: 4 to 6 years
• Adult Size: Up to 2 inches (5 cm)
• Temperament: Peaceful and active
• Diet: Omnivore

Appearance

• Males: Develop a deep, bright cherry-red color, especially when competing for females or breeding.
• Females: More subdued in color, typically tan to brownish-yellow with a faint pink or rosy hue.
• Markings: Both sexes feature a distinctive dark, horizontal line running along their midsection, bordered by lighter, gold-toned scales.

Care & Tank Requirements

• Tank Size: At least 17 to 20 gallons to allow room for a school and to keep water parameters stable.
• Water Parameters:
  • Temperature: 72°F to 82°F (22°C to 28°C)
  • pH Level: 6.0 to 7.5
  • Water Hardness: Soft to moderately hard (2 to 25 dH)
• Environment:
  • They do best in heavily planted aquariums with driftwood and softer substrates, which mimic their natural shaded stream habitats.
  • Floating plants help dim the lighting, encouraging them to show off their best colors.

Behavior & Tank Mates

• Social Structure:
  • Cherry barbs are schooling fish and should be kept in groups of at least 6 to 8.
  • Keeping them in a school helps reduce shyness and encourages natural interaction.
• Tank Mates:
  • Because they are gentle, they make excellent community fish.
  • They pair well with other peaceful, small to medium-sized fish such as neon tetras, rasboras, and corydoras.
• Aggression:
  • Unlike some other barb species (like the tiger barb), cherry barbs are not known as fin-nippers.
  • You might occasionally see minor chasing, which is just natural pecking order behavior.

Diet

• Omnivores:
  • In the wild, they graze on small insects, crustaceans, diatoms, and algae.
• Feeding:
  • In the home aquarium, they will readily accept high-quality flakes and nano-pellets.
  • Their diet should be supplemented with live or frozen foods like brine shrimp or bloodworms to keep them healthy and vibrant.