Can cherry barbs live with severums?

Verdict

Yes, with care

Yes, with care. Cherry barbs and severums can share a tank, but watch one thing. A grown severum may treat small cherry barbs as food, especially at night.

Cherry barb73–81°F · pH 6–7.5

Severum74–84°F · pH 6–7

What to watch

Watch outA grown severum may treat small cherry barbs as food, especially at night.

What works

Both are fine at 74–81°F.
pH 6–7 suits both.

Water side by side

The green band is the temperature range both can live in.

The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

Adult length in an aquarium. A fish can swallow anything that fits in its mouth, roughly a third to half its own length for predators.

Care at a glance

	Cherry barb	Severum
Temperature	73–81 °F	74–84 °F
pH	6–7.5	6–7
Adult size	2.0 in	8.0 in
Minimum tank	20 gal	55 gal
Temperament	Peaceful	Semi-aggressive
Swims at	Middle	Middle
Group	Groups of 6+	Alone or in pairs
Diet	Omnivore	Omnivore

Better tank mates for cherry barbs

All cherry barb tank mates

Better tank mates for severums

All severum tank mates

Questions

Can cherry barbs live with severums?

Yes, with care. Cherry barbs and severums can share a tank, but watch one thing. A grown severum may treat small cherry barbs as food, especially at night.

What temperature suits both cherry barbs and severums?

74–81 °F. Cherry barbs need 73–81 °F, severums need 74–84 °F.

What size tank do cherry barbs and severums need together?

At least 55 gal, set by the severum. Add space for each extra fish.