[ARRIVED 1-MAY-2025] Cherry Barb Puntius titteya 3-5cm

Description

Cherry Barb (Puntius titteya)

A peaceful and brilliantly coloured schooling fish, Cherry Barbs are one of the best community species for planted aquariums thanks to their vibrant reds, gentle temperament and beginner-friendly nature.

Quick Facts

  • Scientific name: Puntius titteya
  • Common name: Cherry Barb
  • Adult size: 4–5 cm
  • Tank size: 60L+ recommended
  • Difficulty: 🟢 Easy
  • Temperament: Peaceful
  • Best kept: Schools of 6 or more

Is this for you?

āœ”ļø Perfect if:

  • You want a peaceful schooling fish.
  • You keep a planted community aquarium.
  • You want a beginner-friendly species.
  • You enjoy vibrant natural colours.

āŒ Avoid if:

  • You keep aggressive or fin-nipping fish.
  • You plan to keep only one or two fish.
  • You keep large predatory fish.
  • Your aquarium has poor water quality.

Why choose Cherry Barbs?

Cherry Barbs are one of the most loved freshwater fish in the hobby, and for good reason. Mature males develop a rich cherry-red body that intensifies during breeding displays, while females display attractive golden-bronze colours that provide a beautiful contrast within the school.

Unlike many barb species, Cherry Barbs are exceptionally peaceful and spend their day calmly swimming through plants, exploring their surroundings and interacting naturally with one another.

Their small size, hardy nature and relaxed temperament make them ideal for planted community aquariums where they provide constant movement without disturbing other fish.

Common mistakes

  • Keeping too few individuals.
  • Housing them with aggressive tank mates.
  • Providing little plant cover.
  • Overfeeding.
  • Allowing water quality to decline.

Care made simple

  • Temperature: 22–27°C
  • pH: 6.0–7.5
  • Diet: Premium flakes, nano pellets, frozen foods and live foods
  • Water: Clean, stable and well-filtered
  • Setup: Planted aquarium with driftwood, shaded areas, open swimming space and dark substrate to enhance colour

Pairs perfectly with

  • Harlequin Rasboras
  • Honey Gouramis
  • Corydoras
  • Dwarf Rainbowfish
  • Neocaridina and Caridina shrimp (with dense plant cover)
NTA Insight:
Cherry Barbs are one of our favourite community fish because they're almost impossible not to recommend. They're colourful, peaceful, hardy and suit almost any planted aquarium. Males develop their deepest cherry-red colours when kept in groups with females, fed a varied diet and housed over dark substrate with plenty of plants.

FAQ

How many Cherry Barbs should I keep?

Cherry Barbs are schooling fish and should be kept in groups of at least six. Schools of 8–12 fish encourage natural behaviour, reduce stress and produce the best colours.

Are Cherry Barbs peaceful?

Yes. They are one of the most peaceful barb species available and are excellent additions to community aquariums with other calm fish.

Can they live with shrimp?

Yes. Adult Cherry Shrimp and Crystal Shrimp are generally left alone, although very small shrimplets may occasionally be eaten. Dense mosses and fine-leaved plants provide excellent shelter for young shrimp.

Can Cherry Barbs breed in home aquariums?

Absolutely. They are egg scatterers and breed readily in well-maintained aquariums. Fine-leaved plants or spawning mops improve breeding success, and the adults should be removed after spawning to protect the eggs.

Why aren't my Cherry Barbs bright red?

Only mature males develop the deep cherry-red colouration. Clean water, quality nutrition, a balanced male-to-female ratio and a well-planted aquarium with dark substrate will help bring out their best colours.

[ARRIVED 1-MAY-2025] Cherry Barb Puntius titteya 3-5cm

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$6.00


All prices include GST
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    Description

    Cherry Barb (Puntius titteya)

    A peaceful and brilliantly coloured schooling fish, Cherry Barbs are one of the best community species for planted aquariums thanks to their vibrant reds, gentle temperament and beginner-friendly nature.

    Quick Facts

    • Scientific name: Puntius titteya
    • Common name: Cherry Barb
    • Adult size: 4–5 cm
    • Tank size: 60L+ recommended
    • Difficulty: 🟢 Easy
    • Temperament: Peaceful
    • Best kept: Schools of 6 or more

    Is this for you?

    āœ”ļø Perfect if:

    • You want a peaceful schooling fish.
    • You keep a planted community aquarium.
    • You want a beginner-friendly species.
    • You enjoy vibrant natural colours.

    āŒ Avoid if:

    • You keep aggressive or fin-nipping fish.
    • You plan to keep only one or two fish.
    • You keep large predatory fish.
    • Your aquarium has poor water quality.

    Why choose Cherry Barbs?

    Cherry Barbs are one of the most loved freshwater fish in the hobby, and for good reason. Mature males develop a rich cherry-red body that intensifies during breeding displays, while females display attractive golden-bronze colours that provide a beautiful contrast within the school.

    Unlike many barb species, Cherry Barbs are exceptionally peaceful and spend their day calmly swimming through plants, exploring their surroundings and interacting naturally with one another.

    Their small size, hardy nature and relaxed temperament make them ideal for planted community aquariums where they provide constant movement without disturbing other fish.

    Common mistakes

    • Keeping too few individuals.
    • Housing them with aggressive tank mates.
    • Providing little plant cover.
    • Overfeeding.
    • Allowing water quality to decline.

    Care made simple

    • Temperature: 22–27°C
    • pH: 6.0–7.5
    • Diet: Premium flakes, nano pellets, frozen foods and live foods
    • Water: Clean, stable and well-filtered
    • Setup: Planted aquarium with driftwood, shaded areas, open swimming space and dark substrate to enhance colour

    Pairs perfectly with

    • Harlequin Rasboras
    • Honey Gouramis
    • Corydoras
    • Dwarf Rainbowfish
    • Neocaridina and Caridina shrimp (with dense plant cover)
    NTA Insight:
    Cherry Barbs are one of our favourite community fish because they're almost impossible not to recommend. They're colourful, peaceful, hardy and suit almost any planted aquarium. Males develop their deepest cherry-red colours when kept in groups with females, fed a varied diet and housed over dark substrate with plenty of plants.

    FAQ

    How many Cherry Barbs should I keep?

    Cherry Barbs are schooling fish and should be kept in groups of at least six. Schools of 8–12 fish encourage natural behaviour, reduce stress and produce the best colours.

    Are Cherry Barbs peaceful?

    Yes. They are one of the most peaceful barb species available and are excellent additions to community aquariums with other calm fish.

    Can they live with shrimp?

    Yes. Adult Cherry Shrimp and Crystal Shrimp are generally left alone, although very small shrimplets may occasionally be eaten. Dense mosses and fine-leaved plants provide excellent shelter for young shrimp.

    Can Cherry Barbs breed in home aquariums?

    Absolutely. They are egg scatterers and breed readily in well-maintained aquariums. Fine-leaved plants or spawning mops improve breeding success, and the adults should be removed after spawning to protect the eggs.

    Why aren't my Cherry Barbs bright red?

    Only mature males develop the deep cherry-red colouration. Clean water, quality nutrition, a balanced male-to-female ratio and a well-planted aquarium with dark substrate will help bring out their best colours.

    Live Arrival & Ordering FAQ

    Why do livestock prices sometimes change?

    Unlike manufactured products, fish and shrimp continue to grow and develop over time. Their value changes as they increase in size, develop colour, or become breeding pairs.

    Our prices are based on the current size, quality and availability of each specimen. While pricing often remains stable for around 3–4 months, it may be updated at any time to reflect these changes.

    We always aim to offer healthy, high-quality livestock at fair and competitive prices.

    Do you offer a live arrival guarantee?

    Yes. All livestock is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee.

    In the rare event of DOA, please contact us promptly with clear photos of the livestock in the original unopened bag.

    Please review our full DOA and store policies before purchase.

    Can you ship to all states in Australia?

    No. Due to state restrictions, we cannot ship livestock or live plants to WA and TAS.

    What should I check before ordering?

    Before placing an order, make sure:

    • Your tank is fully cycled and stable
    • Your aquarium has enough space for the species
    • Your current livestock are compatible in temperament, size, and requirements
    • Your water parameters, habitat, and temperature suit the species
    • You are not adding too many fish at once
    What should I expect when my fish arrives?

    It is normal for fish, shrimp, or snails to look pale, stressed, or less active after shipping.

    This is temporary. Most livestock will settle and regain colour within a few days.

    How long does it take for fish to settle in?

    Most livestock will take 3–7 days to fully adjust to their new environment.

    Should I feed my fish immediately after arrival?

    No. We recommend waiting 24 hours before feeding to allow them to settle.

    If you already have fish in your tank, feeding them before introducing new arrivals can help reduce stress.

    Why do fish sometimes struggle after being added to a tank?

    In most cases, issues are caused by tank conditions, not shipping.

    • Uncycled or unstable tanks
    • Poor water parameters
    • Overstocking
    • Unsuitable tank mates
    What is Nano Tanks Australia’s main tip for new livestock?

    Most livestock losses happen in immature or unstable tanks, not during shipping.

    If your setup is not fully established, the risk to new arrivals is significantly higher.

    Not sure if this fish is right for your setup?

    If you are unsure whether this species suits your setup, contact us before ordering and we’ll help point you in the right direction.

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