CheckMyFishTankCherry Barb care
Puntius titteya · Freshwater · Beginner level care
A gentle, shy barb that is one of the best choices for beginners.
Feeding
Twice a day. A small pinch they finish in about 2 minutes. Flakes, small pellets, frozen foods.
Good tank mates
Fish that pass every check with Cherry Barb in a 40 gallon tank: same water, overlapping temperature, nobody gets eaten and no bullies.
Do not mix with
- Silver Dollar: Silver Dollar grows big enough to eat Cherry Barb.
- Tinfoil Barb: Tinfoil Barb grows big enough to eat Cherry Barb.
- White Cloud Mountain Minnow: White Cloud Mountain Minnow and Cherry Barb need different water temperatures.
- Angelfish: Angelfish grows big enough to eat Cherry Barb.
- Discus: Discus and Cherry Barb need different water temperatures.
- Convict Cichlid: Convict Cichlid grows big enough to eat Cherry Barb.
- Oscar: Oscar grows big enough to eat Cherry Barb.
- Jack Dempsey: Jack Dempsey grows big enough to eat Cherry Barb.
Questions
What size tank does a Cherry Barb need?
At least 20 gallons for a group of 6. Adults grow to about 2 inches, so plan for the adult size, not the size at the store.
What temperature does a Cherry Barb like?
73 to 81 degrees Fahrenheit, with a pH of about 6 to 7.5. A steady temperature matters more than hitting one exact number.
How many Cherry Barb should I keep together?
Keep 6 or more. They feel safe in a group and show better color and behavior.
What do Cherry Barb eat?
Flakes, small pellets, frozen foods. Feed twice a day: a small pinch they finish in about 2 minutes.
Sources
Checked against these sources on 2026-11-10. When sources disagree we use the safer number.