Description
Cherry Barb (Puntius titteya)
Overview
Puntius titteya, commonly known as the Cherry Barb, is a small, vibrant freshwater fish native to the Kelani and Nilwala river basins in southwestern Sri Lanka. Named for the male’s bright cherry-red colouration during spawning, this peaceful, schooling species belongs to the Cyprinidae family. Growing to 3.8–5 cm, Cherry Barbs are hardy, adaptable, and popular among aquarists for their striking appearance and ease of care. They thrive in planted community tanks, making them ideal for beginners and experienced hobbyists alike.
Care Requirements
Tank Size
Minimum: 80 liters for a school of 6–10 individuals; larger tanks provide better swimming space and water stability. A long tank is preferred to accommodate their active swimming Behaviour.
Water Parameters
- Temperature: 20°C–27°C, ideally 23°C–26°C.
- pH: 6.0–7.5, slightly acidic to neutral preferred.
- Hardness: Soft to moderately hard (5–19 dH).
- Nitrate: Keep below 50 mg/L for optimal health.
- Use a water conditioner to remove chlorine and chloramine from tap water.
Tank Setup
- Substrate: Dark fine gravel or sand, layered with leaf litter or smooth pebbles to mimic their natural silty, shaded stream habitats.
- Plants: Dense aquatic plants like Java moss, Java fern, Anubias, or water sprite for cover, egg-laying, and nutrient absorption.
- Decor: Driftwood, rocks, or caves provide hiding spots and enhance security.
- Filtration: Gentle to moderate flow filter (e.g., hang-on-back or sponge filter) to replicate slow-moving streams while maintaining clean, oxygenated water.
- Lighting: Subdued or dim lighting with floating plants to reduce stress and mimic shaded natural habitats.
Maintenance
- Water Changes: Replace 20%–30% of tank water monthly (weekly for smaller tanks) to maintain water quality.
- Testing: Monitor pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels regularly using a test kit.
- Cleaning: Lightly vacuum substrate during water changes to remove debris; rinse filter media in tank water to preserve beneficial bacteria.
- Feeding Control: Feed only what fish consume in 2–3 minutes to prevent overfeeding and water pollution.
- Plant Trimming: Prune plants to prevent overgrowth and maintain tank aesthetics.
Diet
- Natural Diet: Omnivorous, feeding on detritus, green algae, diatoms, small crustaceans, insects, and animal matter in the wild.
- Aquarium Diet:
- Staple Foods: High-quality flake foods, nano pellets, or spirulina-based granules.
- Live/Frozen Foods: Brine shrimp, bloodworms, Daphnia, Tubifex, or mosquito larvae to enhance colouration and health.
- Vegetable Matter: Blanched spinach, lettuce, algae wafers, or spirulina flakes for dietary balance.
- Feeding Frequency: Small portions 2–3 times daily, following the “five-minute rule” (food consumed within 5 minutes).
- Variety: Rotate food types to ensure nutritional diversity and vibrant colours, with carotenoids (e.g., krill) to enhance red hues.
Behaviour and Compatibility
Behaviour
- Schooling: Gregarious, requiring groups of 6–10+ for well-being. Smaller groups or solitary fish become stressed, shy, or prone to disease. Schooling enhances colouration and natural Behaviour.
- Activity: Active, elegant swimmers, often exploring mid to bottom tank levels. They may hide initially but become outgoing with ample cover.
- Temperament: Generally peaceful, but males can occasionally show mild aggression or fin-nipping toward each other, especially in small groups or during spawning.
Compatibility
- Ideal Tankmates: Small, peaceful species like tetras, rasboras, guppies, Corydoras catfish, or small loaches.
- Avoid: Large, aggressive fish (e.g., cichlids) or large crustaceans that may prey on Cherry Barbs. Avoid overly boisterous species that could stress them.
- Sexual Dimorphism: Males are slimmer, with vibrant cherry-red colouration (intensifying during spawning); females are rounder, with muted brownish-red or tan hues and a darker lateral line.
Breeding Behaviour
Breeding Behaviour: Egg-scatterers, laying 200–300 adhesive eggs among plants or spawning mops. No parental care; adults may eat eggs if not removed.
Picture for illustrative purposes only. Either come in store to view available stock or request pictures to be sent to you.
Please Note: Due to variations within species resulting from age, region, sex, etc., the actual livestock may not look identical to the image. Approximate size range may also vary between individual specimens.
