Cherry barb care

Water temperature

73–81°F

Cherry barbs do best at 73–81°F and pH 6–7.5. Plan on 20 gallons or more. Good tank mates include bettas, guppies, honey gouramis.

The barb that does not nip. A good betta mate in a planted tank.

Rohanella titteya (syn. Puntius titteya)

pH

6–7.5

Minimum tank

20 gal

Adult size

2.0 in

Temperament

Peaceful

Group

Groups of 6+

Lifespan

5–7 years

Swims at

Middle

Diet

Omnivore

Best tank mates

• BettaYes
• GuppyYes
• Honey gouramiYes
• CorydorasYes
• Sparkling gouramiYes
• Kuhli loachYes
• OtocinclusYes
• Dwarf gouramiYes
• AngelfishYes
• Mystery snailYes
• Blue gouramiYes
• Tiger barbYes

Full cherry barb tank mate chart: 66 yes, 18 with care, 14 no

Cherry barb water compared

Fish to keep away from cherry barbs

• Axolotl Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); cherry barbs need 73–81°F. No temperature suits both.
• Oscar An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches cherry barbs do.
• Black ghost knife An adult black ghost knife eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches cherry barbs do.
• Pictus catfish An adult pictus catfish eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches cherry barbs do.
• Bichir An adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches cherry barbs do.
• Convict cichlid Convict cichlids are aggressive and will bully peaceful cherry barbs.
• Goldfish Goldfish are coldwater animals (60–74°F); cherry barbs need 73–81°F. They overlap only at 73–74°F, the edge of both ranges.
• Jack Dempsey An adult jack dempsey eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches cherry barbs do.

More barbs, danios, rasboras and sharks

• Goldfish60–74°F
• Koi59–77°F
• Tiger barb72–81°F
• Red tail shark72–79°F
• Rainbow shark72–80°F
• Bala shark72–82°F
• Celestial pearl danio72–79°F
• Zebra danio65–77°F