The Cherry Barb is a small cyprinid from Sri Lanka, named for the deep red that males flush during spawning and display.
It is less prone to fin-nipping than most barbs, which makes it a good choice for calm community tanks.
This is a peaceful, active mid-water swimmer that suits planted aquariums.
It tolerates a fairly wide range of conditions, which gives beginners some margin for the small errors common while learning to keep fish.
Housing
House a group in a tank of at least 75 litres (20 gallons) with a secure lid, gentle filtration, and dense planting alongside open swimming lanes.
Aim for 23-27C (73-81F), pH 6.0-7.5, and soft to moderately hard water.
The tank must be fully cycled before fish arrive.
Dark substrate and a planted background bring out the males' colour and reduce skittishness.
Keep nitrate below 20-40 ppm with weekly partial water changes, and use a tight cover, as these fish occasionally jump.
Diet
Cherry Barbs are omnivores that take most foods readily.
Feed a quality micro-pellet or flake as the staple, supplemented with small portions of frozen or live daphnia, bloodworm, and brine shrimp to support colour and spawning condition.
Feed once or twice daily, only what they finish in a couple of minutes.
Overfeeding fouls the water and is a leading avoidable cause of disease, so keep meals small and include some plant-based food or blanched vegetable matter.
Health
This is a robust species with few inherent problems; most illness traces back to poor water quality, overstocking, or adding fish to an uncycled tank.
Watch for ich (white spots) after temperature swings or new additions, and for fin damage from rougher tankmates.
Quarantine new fish for two to four weeks where possible, and check daily for clamped fins, rapid breathing, or loss of appetite.
Stable parameters and clean water prevent most issues in this species.
Temperament
Cherry Barbs are peaceful and somewhat shy.
They show their best colour and feel secure only in a shoal of six or more; lone fish or pairs tend to hide and stay pale.
They mix well with other calm community fish such as rasboras, small tetras, corydoras, and adult dwarf shrimp.
Avoid large, aggressive, or very boisterous tankmates, which leave these gentle barbs stressed and hiding.
Beginner
Beginner
Beginner
Beginner
Beginner
Beginner