Cherry Barb vs Summer Flounder
Puntius titteya compared with Paralichthys dentatus
Taxonomy & Classification
| Attribute | Cherry Barb | Summer Flounder |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Puntius titteya | Paralichthys dentatus |
| Order | Cypriniformes | Pleuronectiformes |
| Family | Cyprinidae | Paralichthyidae |
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
Physical Traits
| Attribute | Cherry Barb | Summer Flounder |
|---|---|---|
| Max Length | 5.0 cm | 94.0 cm |
| Max Weight | 0.002 kg | 12.0 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. | Eyed side is brownish to gray-green with a mottled pattern of pale blotches; 12–14 distinct pale-edged dark ocelli (eyespots) scattered across the body; blind side is plain white; color changes with substrate. |
Habitat & Environment
| Attribute | Cherry Barb | Summer Flounder |
|---|---|---|
| Water Type | Freshwater | Saltwater |
| Depth Range | — | 10-183m |
| 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 Nova Scotia south to Florida and the northern Gulf of Mexico. Undertakes seasonal offshore migration to deeper Continental Shelf waters in … |
| 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, demersal, estuaries |
Aquarium Suitability
| Attribute | Cherry Barb | Summer Flounder |
|---|---|---|
| Min Tank Size | 60 L | — |
| Temperature | 23-27 | — |
| pH Range | 6.0-8.0 | — |
| Care Level | Easy | — |
| Temperament | Peaceful | — |
Fishing Information
| Attribute | Cherry Barb | Summer Flounder |
|---|---|---|
| Game Fish | No | Yes |
| Fight Rating | — | 4/10 |
| 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.
Summer Flounder
Thin, delicate white fillets with a sweet, mild flavor and very low fat. Prized on the U.S. East Coast; superb pan-fried in butter, stuffed and baked, or prepared as ceviche.
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.
Summer Flounder
The summer flounder, or fluke, is a flatfish that lies camouflaged on the ocean floor. Born with eyes on both sides, one eye migrates to the left side during development. An ambush predator, it explodes upward to grab passing prey.