Cherry Barb care guide
Cherry Barb (Puntius titteya) — minimum tank 50 L, temperature 22-27 °C, pH 6-7.5. Peaceful middle-water species.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
The Cherry Barb (Puntius titteya) is a small cyprinid endemic to Sri Lanka. Mature males display brilliant cherry-red colouration that intensifies during courtship, while females remain pale tan with a brown lateral stripe. Unusually for the barb group, the species is calm and well suited to peaceful planted community tanks.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cyprinidae
- Genus: Puntius
- Scientific name: Puntius titteya
Habitat
Native to heavily shaded, shallow, calm freshwater bodies of Sri Lanka, where the substrate is typically silty and covered with leaf litter. Introduced populations are established in Mexico and Colombia.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 50 L (13.2 US gal)
- Adult size: 3-5 cm
- Temperature: 22-27 °C (72-81 °F)
- pH: 6-7.5
- GH: 2-15 °dGH
- Water flow: low
- Lifespan: 4-6 years
- School size: ≥6 individuals
Diet
An opportunistic omnivore. A varied diet of quality flake or micro-pellets supplemented with frozen and live foods such as daphnia, brine shrimp and bloodworms maintains colour and condition.
Compatibility
A peaceful schooling species best kept in groups of at least six with a female-biased sex ratio of roughly 2:1. Suitable companions include Neon Tetra, Corydoras, Harlequin Rasbora and Guppy. Avoid keeping with Tiger Barb and other boisterous or aggressive species.
Breeding
An egg-scatterer. Males chase females to spawn; females scatter 200-300 eggs over plants and substrate. Eggs hatch in 1-2 days and fry become free-swimming after another two days, reaching about 1 cm in roughly five weeks.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Vulnerable. Wild populations are threatened by overcollection and habitat loss, although the species is widely farmed for the aquarium trade.
Breeding Cherry Barb
Overview
Cherry Barb (Puntius titteya) is an egg-scattering free spawner of intermediate breeding difficulty that shows no parental care. Spawning is achievable in a dedicated tank but the adults readily consume their own eggs, so the setup is built around protecting the eggs from the parents.
Sexing
Adult males are noticeably smaller, slimmer and more colourful than females, taking on a deep red colour that intensifies in spawning condition. Females are fuller-bodied, fawn-coloured on top with a slight greenish sheen and two pinkish stripes along the sides that darken when ready to breed.
Conditioning the Breeders
Condition the adults together on good food until the females fill with eggs and males show their best colour. Because the male constantly harasses females to spawn, a ratio of at least two females to one male reduces pressure on individual fish.
Breeding Setup
- Dimly lit spawning tank with mature water
- A mesh base, plastic grass matting, glass marbles or fine-leaved plants such as Taxiphyllum or a spawning mop so eggs fall out of the adults' reach
- Temperature at the upper end of the 22-27 °C range
- Slightly acidic to neutral pH
- Gentle oxygenation from an air-powered sponge filter or air stone
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Introduce one or two pairs (or six of each sex) once conditioned; spawning usually takes place the following morning. The male swims just behind the female and chases away rival males. A female scatters about 200 to 300 eggs over plants and the substrate.
Egg & Fry Care
The adults will eat the eggs given the chance and should be removed as soon as eggs are noticed. Eggs hatch within one to two days (24-48 hours) and the fry become free-swimming roughly 24 hours later. Offer infusoria-grade food for the first few days, then microworm and Artemia nauplii once the fry are large enough. After about five weeks the young reach roughly 1 cm and are recognisable as cherry barbs.
Common Challenges
Egg predation by the parents is the main obstacle, addressed by the egg-trap base and prompt removal of adults. Soft, slightly acidic water and dim lighting improve spawning and egg viability, and the tiny first-feeding fry require infusoria-grade food before they can take larger live foods.
Long-fin Cherry Barb Breeding Guide
Overview
The long-fin cherry barb is a selectively bred long-finned form of Puntius titteya, not a separate species; its breeding biology is that of the cherry barb. Seriously Fish notes that Puntius species are egg-scattering free spawners with no parental care, and that some ornamental strains have been selectively bred to keep red pigmentation permanently. In a mature aquarium fry may appear naturally, but a dedicated setup is more productive.
Sexing
Males are smaller, slimmer and more colourful, becoming a deep red when breeding. Females are fawn-coloured above with a greenish sheen and two pinkish stripes along the sides that darken in breeding condition; they are fuller-bodied. The long fins do not change these differences.
Conditioning
Condition the adults together on small live, frozen and dried foods. A ratio of at least two females to one male reduces harassment, since the male chases off rivals and pursues the female closely during spawning.
Breeding Setup
Use a separate, dimly lit tank with mature water. Cover the base with mesh or plastic grass matting, or provide fine-leaved plants such as Taxiphyllum species or spawning mops, so eggs fall out of reach. Add an air-powered sponge filter or air stone. Keep the pH slightly acidic to neutral and the temperature toward the upper end of the range.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
When females are gravid, introduce one or two pairs; spawning should follow the next morning. The female scatters roughly 200 to 300 eggs over plants and substrate. The adults will probably eat the eggs given the chance and should be removed as soon as any are noticed.
Egg & Fry Care
Eggs hatch in one to two days, and the fry are free-swimming after about two more days. Feed an infusoria-grade food for the first several days, then microworm, Artemia nauplii and similar foods. After about five weeks the young reach roughly 1 cm and are recognisable as cherry barbs.
Common Challenges
Parents readily eat eggs and small fry, so prompt removal is essential. The long-fin trait is a selectively bred fin morph within the species; long-finned fish can be slower swimmers, so ensure gentle flow in the spawning and rearing tanks.