Cherry Barb vs Clownfish
Puntius titteya compared with Amphiprion ocellaris
Taxonomy & Classification
| Attribute | Cherry Barb | Clownfish |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Puntius titteya | Amphiprion ocellaris |
| Order | Cypriniformes | Perciformes |
| Family | Cyprinidae | Pomacentridae |
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
Physical Traits
| Attribute | Cherry Barb | Clownfish |
|---|---|---|
| Max Length | 5.0 cm | 11.0 cm |
| Max Weight | 0.002 kg | 0.01 kg |
| Color | Males are vivid cherry-red over the entire body with a dark mid-lateral stripe from snout to tail; females are pale golden-olive with the same dark stripe; fins reddish to clear. | Vivid orange body with three bold white bands edged in black: one behind the head, one mid-body, and one at the tail base; all fins are orange with black margins and white stripe edges. |
Habitat & Environment
| Attribute | Cherry Barb | Clownfish |
|---|---|---|
| Water Type | Freshwater | Saltwater |
| Depth Range | — | 1-15m |
| Geographic Range | Endemic to the Kelani River basin in southwestern Sri Lanka. Restricted to shaded, slow-flowing forest streams and small tributaries with dense riparian vegetation; population has … | Eastern Indian Ocean and western Pacific from the Andaman Sea and Thailand south to northwest Australia and east to the Philippines and Japan. Lives exclusively … |
| Habitat | Clear, fast-flowing streams of Sri Lanka and southwestern India. Shallow, oxygen-rich, cool mountain streams (22-26°C) over gravel substrates. Dense riparian vegetation provides cover. | Neritic, coral reefs |
Aquarium Suitability
| Attribute | Cherry Barb | Clownfish |
|---|---|---|
| Min Tank Size | 60 L | 75 L |
| Temperature | 23-27 | 24-27 |
| pH Range | 6.0-8.0 | 8.0-8.4 |
| Care Level | Easy | Easy |
| Temperament | Peaceful | Peaceful |
Cuisine & Edibility
Cherry Barb
Not consumed — ornamental aquarium fish listed as Vulnerable in the wild; kept for its cherry-red coloration and peaceful schooling nature.
Clownfish
Not consumed — iconic ornamental marine species famous for its symbiotic relationship with sea anemones; a staple of reef aquariums worldwide.
Species Overview
Cherry Barb
The cherry barb is a small, colorful fish native to Sri Lanka's shaded forest streams. Males develop an intense cherry-red coloration during breeding. Listed as Vulnerable due to habitat loss and over-collection for the aquarium trade.
Clownfish
The ocellaris clownfish is a protandrous sequential hermaphrodite that lives in a mutualistic relationship with sea anemones. Its mucus coating protects it from anemone stings. All individuals are born male and the dominant fish transitions to female.