What tank size does a Cherry Barb need?

A Cherry Barb needs an aquarium of at least 60 litres (15.9 US gallons) with a footprint at least 60 cm (23.6 in) long — for this species, swimming length matters as much as raw volume.

What water parameters does a Cherry Barb need?

Cherry Barb does best at 23–27 °C (73.4–80.6 °F), pH 6–7.5 and a general hardness of 2–15 °dGH.

What group size does a Cherry Barb need?

Cherry Barb is a social species — keep a group of at least 6 so natural behaviour emerges and stress stays low.

Is the Cherry Barb suitable for beginners?

Yes — Cherry Barb is one of the easier species to keep and forgives typical first-tank mistakes, as long as the aquarium is cycled and maintained.

Species library

Cherry Barb

Puntius titteya

Cyprinidae

FishDifficulty: ●○○○○Data: well-established

📷 Uditha Thejan · CC BY-SA 4.0 · resized · Wikimedia Commons

Cherry Barb — Puntius titteya — 📷 Uditha Thejan · CC BY-SA 4.0 · resized · Wikimedia Commons

About

The cherry barb is a peaceful, slender barb endemic to shaded, slow-flowing forest streams in Sri Lanka. Unlike the notorious tiger barb it is gentle and not a fin-nipper, making it an excellent community fish. Males deepen to a striking cherry-red when displaying, especially in a well-planted tank with dark substrate. Somewhat shy by nature, it settles and colours up best when kept in a group with plenty of cover and a higher ratio of females.

Care

Keep in a group of 6+ with more females than males in a planted tank with cover. Peaceful, hardy and adaptable across a wide hardness range.

Diet

Easygoing omnivore; feed varied dry foods plus frozen/live foods to enhance male colour.

Tankmate compatibility

Computed by the AquaSage engine for a spacious reference tank — always check the full verdict for your exact setup in the calculator.

Full tank-mates guide with reasons →

Telling males from females

What works for this species, most reliable first.

Colour and patternA hint only · from about 6 months, and only on a settled fish
In rainbowfish, killifish and several barbs the male carries the colour — deeper and more saturated, intensifying further when he displays.
Extended finsA hint only · from about 8 months, and later in a suppressed male
On many cichlids and killifish the male's dorsal and anal fins draw out into trailing points as he matures, while the female's stay rounded.
Belly depthA hint only · only on well-fed adults, and only as a comparison
For most tetras, barbs and rasboras this is all there is: a conditioned female is deeper through the belly than a male of the same length.

All the methods, with diagrams

Also in these lists

Shrimp-safe fish Fish for a first aquarium Peaceful community fish Fish for a 112 litre tank

Frequently asked questions

What tank size does a Cherry Barb need?: A Cherry Barb needs an aquarium of at least 60 litres (15.9 US gallons) with a footprint at least 60 cm (23.6 in) long — for this species, swimming length matters as much as raw volume.
What water parameters does a Cherry Barb need?: Cherry Barb does best at 23–27 °C (73.4–80.6 °F), pH 6–7.5 and a general hardness of 2–15 °dGH.
What group size does a Cherry Barb need?: Cherry Barb is a social species — keep a group of at least 6 so natural behaviour emerges and stress stays low.
Is the Cherry Barb suitable for beginners?: Yes — Cherry Barb is one of the easier species to keep and forgives typical first-tank mistakes, as long as the aquarium is cycled and maintained.

Sources

Water & tank

Temperature23–27°C

Optimal temp.24–26°C

pH6–7.5

Hardness (GH)2–15°d

Carbonate (KH)1–10°d

Adult size5 cm

Min. volume≥ 60 L

Min. tank length≥ 60 cm

Group size≥ 6

Swimming zoneMid

TemperamentPeaceful

Water typeFreshwater

FlowLow

Lifespan~5 yrs

Try in the calculator