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1. I want a clean tank.

2. I want it to be filled with plants.

3. I don't want my fish to die.

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Other name(s): Crimson Carplet

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These shy barbs are named for the males’ vibrant red coloration during spawning season. The Cherry Barb likes lots of plants and are easy to care for.

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Native to Sri Lanka

Tropical freshwater fish

Omnivore

Peaceful community fish

25-gallon tank

Top to middle swimmers

Swim in schools of at least 6

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Zebra Danio

Rosy Barbs

Guppy Fish

Mollies

Platy Fish

Dwarf Gouramis

Neon Tetra

Penguin Tetra

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Looking to add an unusual color to your tropical fish tank? The bright orangey-red cherry barb is an often overlooked species that is great for most community tank setups. These fish are moderately active and grow to a couple of inches in length. They demonstrate schooling behaviors that pop out against a deep green backdrop of live plants.

These peaceful fish should get along with everyone, but some fish aren't good choices. Let's go over the best cherry barb tank mates to add to your fish tank!

Cherry barbs are peaceful schooling fish that need a densely planted tank.

These fish are relatively hardy and can be kept in a wide range of aquarium conditions.

Compatible tank mates include other schooling fish as well as several larger feature species.

Cherry barbs have the potential to become slightly aggressive towards each other and smaller, slower species.

Cherry barbs have become increasingly popular over the past several years and for good reason. Before these small, colorful fish became mainstream, the term 'barb' generally referred to tiger barbs ( Puntius tetrazona). As many hobbyists quickly found out, tiger barbs are aggressive fish that aren't the best choice for a community tank. Because of this negative connotation, many hobbyists still relate the barb term to aggression.

The fact of the matter is that cherry barbs are some of the most community-friendly fish available for freshwater aquariums. Cherry barbs (Puntius titteya) are in the same scientific genus as their aggressive cousins but replace overaggression with intense coloration.

The cherry barb is named after its bright orange coloration. Some individuals may have a noticeable dark red line from the tip of their face to the dorsal fin.

Male

Cherry barbs grow to be about 2 to 3 inches long and have a torpedo-shaped body. Though this body shape allows them to quickly dart through the water column if threatened by a predator, cherry barbs are generally very relaxed and controlled swimmers; they are slightly more active than small species of tetra but demonstrate the same jagged movements.

Male cherry barbs are smaller in size and more torpedo-shaped than female fish. Female cherry barbs are much plumper and have less intense coloration that is usually more brown than red or orange.

Cherry barbs aren't necessarily difficult fish to keep, but some responsibility comes with having them in your freshwater aquarium. Unfortunately, cherry barbs are only endemic to small flooded regions throughout the country of Sri Lanka and are now considered a vulnerable species1. This is due to deforestation and the destruction of their native rivers and floodplains.

To have these fish thrive in your own aquarium, they should be kept in conditions similar to those found in their natural habitat. Luckily, cherry barb fish have been successfully bred in the aquarium trade so most individuals are not wild-caught.

Here's how to set up the best fish tank for cherry barbs!

Like many other tropical fish, the cherry barb is a schooling fish that needs to be kept in groups of at least six or more. As a result, this increases the minimum tank size recommended to about 30 gallons for comfortably keeping a school. That being said, many hobbyists have kept a school of cherry barb fish in a 20 gallon long tank, though this is only recommended if the overall tank stocking is very light.

Otherwise, these freshwater fish can be kept with a variety of species as long as tank conditions are catered around them. Cherry barbs come from waters filled with dense vegetation and life that protects them from the strong overhead sun. In the aquarium, these conditions should be met by having a well-planted tank with plenty of plants that cover the surface of the water, like floating species. A gravel or sand substrate may be based on preference but should facilitate healthy root growth.

Cherry barbs are not messy fish and do not require a ton of filtration. Allowing the tank to be messier than average can be extremely beneficial for heavily planted tanks that need constant nutrient input. Filtration should offer a low to medium water current and keep water quality stable between water changes.

Cherry barbs aren't one of the most hardy fish available in the aquarium hobby but captive-bred individuals can withstand most water parameters as long as they don't fluctuate. That being said, the ideal water quality parameters for a cherry barb tank are:

Cherry barbs are tropical fish and need a constant water temperature between 74-82° F.
What Do You Feed Them? Are they aggressive?
The Best Cherry Barb Tank Mates

While a school of cherry barb fish can easily fill a planted tank on their own, many hobbyists like to keep these bright fish with other species. Luckily, they are one of the best community-friendly species available as they are colorful and present in the aquarium.

All this considered, here are some of the best cherry barb tank mates available for a community tank setup.

Zebra danios are one of the most popular freshwater fish available in the aquarium trade. These are peaceful yet active fish that can bring life to the upper portions of the aquarium.

Zebra danios can be a great cherry barb tank mate, especially in aquariums with a lower average water temperature. However, the activity level of the zebra danio should be considered. Most times, their activity will cause cherry barbs to also become bold in character. But sometimes, this activity can be too much and cause you cherry barbs to become timid and reclusive.

If you find that your cherry barbs turn into timid fish, then you may need to increase their schooling size or remove the zebra danios altogether.

Rosy barbs are large fish that can do well with cherry barbs if some specific conditions are met. These fish are labeled as semi-aggressive fish as they can sometimes be fin nippers among themselves and with slower fish. This shouldn't be a problem for keeping them with cherry barbs as their moderate activity will influence your cherries to be more active.

Rosy barbs are also unique in the fact that they do best in cooler water temperatures. This means that some acclimation may be necessary to get your cherry barbs in the temperatures preferred by your rosy barbs.

Guppy fish get a lot of hate due to being the stereotypical beginner species, but this incredibly hardy fish can bring a ton of color and movement to an aquarium.

Though cherry barbs have unique coloration, they can be difficult to match with other tank mates. Guppies come in almost every color imaginable, which can be used to either complement or contrast those of your cherry barbs.

Keep in mind that guppies are prolific livebearers that can quickly overpopulate a small fish tank.

Similarly, mollies are also a great, beginner-friendly cherry barb tank mate. Mollies are much larger than guppies and have bigger splashes of color and movement. They can sometimes overpower other fish, especially during feeding times. It may be necessary to feed your mollies and cherries in two different locations of the aquarium.

Like guppies, mollies are livebearers. In addition to their large size and active demeanor, it's recommended to only keep cherry barbs and mollies together in aquariums with plenty of swimming space.

If mollies are too much for your aquarium, then platies are just as easy but at half the size. Platy fish come in a variety of bright colors that can be used to compliment those of your cherry barbs. They are still very active fish but are more relaxed than guppies or mollies. That being said, they are also prolific livebearers that can quickly overpopulate an aquarium.

The dwarf gourami is a popular freshwater fish that's often used as a featured species, especially in smaller aquariums. For the most part, dwarf gouramis are great tank mates for a cherry barb tank. However, some dwarf gouramis have been known to be aggressive towards each other and to other fish. If considering a dwarf gourami, it's strongly recommended to keep larger schools of cherry barb and only one gourami.

Another popular tropical fish, the neon tetra is a moderate-level fish. These fish are relatively delicate when transporting and acclimating and often die within the first few days of having them in the aquarium. Even after they're established, they are likely to die off one by one.

That being said, if you have success keeping neon tetras, they can be great tank mates for cherry barbs. Of the two, cherry barbs tend to be more aggressive than neons and so there should be more neon tetras than cherry barbs.

Cardinal tetras are almost exact in color and behavior to neon tetras but are slightly larger and a little more sensitive to water parameters. As another type of schooling fish, the number of cardinals should be greater than the number of cherry barbs; the larger size of cardinals helps deter some cherry barb aggression, but greater numbers will help keep them safe from potential nipping.

Penguin tetras are very adaptable fish that can be great tank mates for the cherry barb. Penguin tetras are very similar in shape, size, and behavior to the cherry barb. The benefit of keeping penguin tetras is that they bring schooling fish behavior without offering color. This can be useful for hobbyists looking to accent their cherry barbs instead of other species.

Many species of Rasbora can be ideal tank mates for cherry barbs. One of the most popular rasboras kept with cherry barb fish is the harlequin rasbora ( Trigonostigma heteromorpha). These peaceful fish feature some of the same colors seen on the cherry barb but have a much smaller body and angular patterns.

Each species of Rasbora will be different from the next. Some are more stagnant swimmers, like harlequin rasboras, while others enjoy being just as, if not more, active than cherry barbs. Make sure to research compatibility before placing these fish with each other.

You might be surprised to find a cichlid on this list of the best tank mates for a cherry barb tank, but kribensis typically don't mind a schooling fish in their aquarium; in setups like this, aquarium conditions and species should be chosen based on the kribensis.

For the most part, kribensis and cherry barbs will ignore each other in the aquarium. However, kribensis are cichlids that have the potential to breed and become aggressive during spawning periods. This can cause some conflict with the cherry barbs.

If there is serious aggression, the kribensis should be moved to a breeding tank during these times. Additional cherry barbs and aquarium plants may also be added for more protection in numbers and structure.

12. Celestial Pearl Danio

Many hobbyists that keep cherry barbs are likely to keep celestial pearl danios. For whatever reason, these two fish species are often paired together as being more challenging or unusual fish tank options. In reality, both these hardy fish species are readily available, easy to keep, and even great tank mates with the right setup.

There is a large difference in demeanor between celestial pearl danios and cherry barbs. Cherry barbs eat very quickly and are moderately active in general. Celestial pearl danios take their time and can be reclusive in overstimulating situations.

To help balance this difference, special attention will need to be given during feeding times. Though not likely, there is also a chance that large cherry barbs could eat particularly small celestial pearl danios.

If a dwarf gourami is giving you trouble, then the honey gourami might be a better alternative for your cherry barb tank. Honey gouramis are actually smaller than their dwarf counterparts and much more community tank appropriate.

While not aggressive, the honey gourami can be overly inquisitive. This could potentially stress out smaller cherry barb individuals. In return, large cherry barbs can also stress out a smaller honey gourami.

Kuhli loaches are a great choice for a cherry barb tank that needs some life at the bottom of it. These fish prefer warmer tank water temperatures so some acclimation may be needed to get them in the same range as cherry barbs.

Another consideration for keeping these freshwater fish is that they are bottom feeders. Cherry barbs are very active feeders and will quickly eat any food that floats down the water column. It may be necessary to supplement sinking pellets or other heavy foods that float past the barbs and onto the substrate for the loaches to eat.

If you're struggling with an algae problem in your cherry barb aquarium, you may have been recommended Otocinclus, or otos for short. Otos are very efficient algae eaters that can clean a tank overnight. But this is what also makes them so difficult to keep.

Otocinclus are schooling fish that need a constant supply of algae. This limits them to mature tanks that have plenty of natural food available. If this describes your aquarium, then otos are good tank mates for cherry barbs as the two will rarely interact.

While cherry barbs can get along with most fish species, there are some that they will never be compatible with. This includes overly aggressive or active species such as:

Aggressive small to medium-sized , like convict cichlids (Amatitlania nigrofasciata)

Large African or South American cichlids, like (Astronotus ocellatus)

Any other fish species that can easily fit a cherry barb in its mouth

The cherry barb is an often overlooked fish that is highly compatible with most other fish species available. A school of cherry barbs can offer intense color and movement in a small or large tank setup with minimal additional work. Some of the best cherry barb tank mates are other schooling species, but they can also be kept with several larger feature species.

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The 15 Best Cherry Barb Tank Mates (And 3 To Avoid) - AquariumStoreDepot

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Looking for the best Cherry Barb Tank Mates? Check out our guide from our expert fish keepers. We go over 15 great choices (and 3 bad choices).

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Require dark sand $6.20

fine gravel

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Have you recently purchased a cherry barb? Great choice! This fish is one of the most popular freshwater aquarium fish and with good reason. They are brightly colored, easy to care for, and add life to any tank. The cherry barb has been ranked as one of the best beginner fish for people who are just starting out in the hobby of fishkeeping. This blog post will cover everything you need to know about keeping your cherry barb happy and healthy! Read on to find out more about this amazing little fish!

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1-2 times a day tropical fish food

brine shrimp and bloodworms

can tolerate regular flakes

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Hornwart $5.95

Water wisteria $8.49

anacharis $14.90

They can tolerate artificial plants.

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Densely planted tank.

Naturally live in shallow water

Ph range: 6.0-8.0

Temperatures around 72-80 degrees.

They require a water heater.

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Moderate light

Standard tank light

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Barbs often get a bad reputation because of their boisterous, fin-nipping behavior, but cherry barbs are an exception to the rule. This 2-inch (5 cm) schooling fish acts like your average, mild-mannered tetra and mixes well with other community fish. They are commonly sold at pet stores because of their vivid redness, energetic personality, and ease of breeding. Learn all about how to care for this popular and peaceful barb.

What are Cherry Barbs?

Puntius titteya are found in the rainforests of Sri Lanka, an island country off the southern tip of India. As per their common name, the males are bright, cherry red while the females are more tannish-red. Both sexes have a black, horizontal line running down their sides with some scales also rimmed in black. Fish farms have also developed albino and long fin (or veiltail) varieties for the aquarium hobby.

Are cherry barbs aggressive? No, this easygoing fish is a great addition to community tanks. Similar to tetras, you may see them chase each other around a little as they establish their pecking order or when the males try to initiate breeding, but they do not tend to bother other fish.

Female (above) and male (below) cherry barbs

How to Set Up an Aquarium for Cherry Barbs

In the wild, they inhabit tropical streams with lots of plant life on the banks that drop their leaves and sticks into the water. Because of the seasonal monsoons, cherry barbs are used to living in a wide range of water conditions - such as temperatures between 72-80°F (22-27°C), pH of 6.0-8.0, and soft to hard water. To bring out their crimson coloration, set up a planted aquarium full of greenery with a darker substrate and background. Adding natural decor like driftwood will also enhance the environment and give them more places to explore and take shelter.

How many cherry barbs should be kept together? A group of six can be kept in a 10-gallon or larger aquarium. However, the more you get, the more outgoing they will be. While you may be tempted to buy only males because of their deeper reds, try to keep at least 1-2 females for every male because the boys show off their best coloration when they have girls to impress.

What fish can live with cherry barbs? As mentioned before, they are community fish that can live with similar-sized, peaceful creatures, such as tetras, danios, cory catfish, and plecos. While cherry barbs will swim anywhere to feed, they tend to hang out in the middle to bottom levels of the tank, so you may consider pairing them with fish that swim in the upper half - like guppies, blue-eye rainbowfish, and pencilfish. As for dwarf shrimp, they seem to do okay with bigger amano shrimp but may try to go after adult cherry shrimp, so make sure to add plenty of hiding spots for the shrimp and be prepared to remove them if necessary. We have personally kept cherry barbs with betta fish before, but depending on the betta's personality, they may not get along so watch closely for compatibility issues.

Cherry barb in a planted community tank with neon tetras and a blue gourami

What Do Cherry Barbs Eat?

In nature, these omnivores like to eat small bugs, micro worms, crustaceans, zooplankton, and even algae. They are not picky eaters, so provide them with a variety of dry, frozen, and live fish foods to make sure they do not lack any essential nutrients. Because of their smaller mouths, we like to feed ours nano pellets, daphnia, and spirulina flakes to make sure they get some vegetable and algae content in their diet. To bring out their scarlet hues, look for fish foods that have naturally red ingredients, like krill flakes, baby brine shrimp, and Easy Fry and Small Fish Food.

How to Breed Cherry Barbs

For an egg layer, the cherry barb is quite easy to breed, even by accident. Just feed them well, and they will constantly lay eggs on the plants and substrate. The adults will hunt down their own offspring though, so plant a thick forest of water sprite, Pogostemon stellatus 'octopus', and other dense plants for the babies to hide amongst.

If you want to increase your yield, use a separate, mature aquarium as your breeding setup so that the fry can feed on thriving colonies of microfauna and mulm. Buy a piece of plastic craft mesh to completely cover the tank bottom so that the eggs can fall through but the parents cannot reach them. Then place a bedding of moss, catappa leaves, and/or a DIY spawning mop underneath the mesh for the young to seek shelter. Raise the temperature to 80°F (27°C), use mildly acidic to neutral pH if possible, and install a sponge filter with gentle flow to prevent the babies from being sucked up. Condition the adults for breeding by feeding lots of high-quality foods, and then move them to the breeding tank. Once you spot any eggs or fry, remove the adults to prevent predation.

Depending on the temperature, the eggs will hatch within a couple of days and then the fry are free-swimming about 1-2 days after hatching. Feed them a constant supply of nearly microscopic foods - like infusoria, live vinegar eels, and powdered fry food - until they are big enough to eat live baby brine shrimp.

Live aquarium plants offer excellent spawning sites and hiding spots for baby fish to escape predation.

While we do not ship live fish, you can check out our preferred online retailers to see their latest stocking lists. If you love the energetic behavior of barbs and aren't afraid of their feisty personalities, read about our top 10 favorite barbs to try in your next aquarium.

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Care Guide for Cherry Barbs - Peaceful Barb for Community Tanks

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Unlike certain other barbs, cherry barbs are peaceful schooling fish that do well in community tanks. Learn how to care for this bright red beauty.

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Prevents fish from jumping out, dust entering, and stop evaporation.

Cherry Barbs require a hood cover; they like to jump out the water.

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Cherry barbs get air through their gills.

If they're gasping for air at the surface the dissolved oxygen is low.

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There should be multiple Cherry Barbs, because they swim in schools (at least 6).

Some live plants and a few artificial plants, they prefer live plants. A tank cover because they'll jump out without it.

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Cherry Barbs – Detailed Guide: Care, Diet, and Breeding - Shrimp and Snail Breeder

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Puntius titteya, commonly known as Cherry barbs, is a popular freshwater aquarium fish species appreciated for its small size, beautiful coloration, activity, and personality. Due to the color contrast, they often become inhabitants of professional aquascapes and Dutch aquariums. All in all, Cherry barbs can be even perfect beginner fish due to their easy care and […]

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Updated May 13, 2020 Author: Mike - FishLore AdminSocial Media:

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Cherry Barbs profile and care information such as tank size, tank mates, life span, diet, breeding, behavior, tank setup and temperament.

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They would need a sponge filter or a hang on back filter.