Cherry Barb
Puntius titteya
A vivid, hardy barb that doesn't nip fins. Males turn a deep cherry-red during display. One of the best community fish — peaceful, colourful, active, and beginner-proof.
Buy Cherry Barb →Quick Facts
Water Parameters
Natural Habitat
Shaded streams with dense marginal vegetation in the wet zone of Sri Lanka. Listed as Vulnerable in the wild.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Feeding
Omnivorous — flake, pellets, frozen foods, live foods. Undemanding eater.
Compatible Tank Mates
Good Matches
Avoid
Breeding
Egg scatterer. Males intensify colour and chase females through plants. Eggs hatch in 24-48 hours.
Care Tips
Males colour up brilliantly in groups with females present
Peaceful — no fin nipping unlike Tiger Barbs
Ideal community fish for beginners
Endangered in the wild — all aquarium stock is captive-bred
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