Cherry Barb vs Red Drum
Puntius titteya compared with Sciaenops ocellatus
Taxonomy & Classification
| Attribute | Cherry Barb | Red Drum |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Puntius titteya | Sciaenops ocellatus |
| Order | Cypriniformes | Perciformes |
| Family | Cyprinidae | Sciaenidae |
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
Physical Traits
| Attribute | Cherry Barb | Red Drum |
|---|---|---|
| Max Length | 5.0 cm | 155.0 cm |
| Max Weight | 0.002 kg | 45.0 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. | Coppery-bronze to reddish-orange flanks with a characteristic black eyespot at the upper tail base; back is darker bronze-olive; belly pale to silvery; fins match body tone with dusky margins. |
Habitat & Environment
| Attribute | Cherry Barb | Red Drum |
|---|---|---|
| Water Type | Freshwater | Freshwater & Saltwater |
| Depth Range | — | 10-?m |
| 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 … | Western North Atlantic from Massachusetts south through the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean. Adults favor open nearshore reefs and coastal surf zones while juveniles inhabit … |
| 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. | Estuaries |
Aquarium Suitability
| Attribute | Cherry Barb | Red Drum |
|---|---|---|
| Min Tank Size | 60 L | — |
| Temperature | 23-27 | — |
| pH Range | 6.0-8.0 | — |
| Care Level | Easy | — |
| Temperament | Peaceful | — |
Fishing Information
| Attribute | Cherry Barb | Red Drum |
|---|---|---|
| Game Fish | No | Yes |
| Fight Rating | — | 7/10 |
| World Record | — | — |
| Mercury Level | — | — |
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.
Red Drum
Firm, white flesh with a mild, sweet flavor and moderate fat; smaller fish (under 27 inches) are the best table size. Famous as 'blackened redfish' — a Louisiana Cajun culinary classic.
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.
Red Drum
The red drum, or redfish, is an iconic inshore game fish of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Identified by the distinctive black spot at the base of its tail, it feeds by tipping head-down in shallow water, exposing its copper-colored tail.