Cherry Barb vs Red Snapper
Puntius titteya compared with Lutjanus campechanus
Taxonomy & Classification
| Attribute | Cherry Barb | Red Snapper |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Puntius titteya | Lutjanus campechanus |
| Order | Cypriniformes | Perciformes |
| Family | Cyprinidae | Lutjanidae |
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable | Vulnerable |
Physical Traits
| Attribute | Cherry Barb | Red Snapper |
|---|---|---|
| Max Length | 5.0 cm | 100.0 cm |
| Max Weight | 0.002 kg | 22.8 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. | Uniform rosy-red to brick-red over the entire body and fins; belly slightly paler pink-red; juveniles may show a dark spot at the lateral line below the anterior dorsal fin. |
Habitat & Environment
| Attribute | Cherry Barb | Red Snapper |
|---|---|---|
| Water Type | Freshwater | Saltwater |
| Depth Range | — | 10-190m |
| 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 North Carolina to Yucatan, concentrated in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean. Associates with rocky reefs, artificial structures, and hard-bottom habitat … |
| 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 | Red Snapper |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Snapper |
|---|---|---|
| Game Fish | No | Yes |
| Fight Rating | — | 6/10 |
| 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 Snapper
Moist, sweet white flesh with a nutty undertone and firm texture. Prized for whole roasting, pan-searing, and ceviche; a cornerstone of Gulf Coast and Caribbean cuisines.
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 Snapper
The red snapper is one of the most commercially valuable reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico. With its distinctive rose-red body and pointed anal fin, it inhabits rocky reefs and artificial structures at depths of 10-190 meters.