Cherry Barb

Puntius titteya

Vulnerable Freshwater

Max Length

5.0 cm

Max Weight

0.002 kg

Color

Males are vivid cherry-red over …

Family

Cyprinidae

About

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.

Physical Description

Measurement	Value
Maximum Length	5.0 cm
Maximum Weight	0.002 kg

Coloration

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.

Habitat & Distribution

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.

Water Type

Freshwater

Geographic Range

{# Distribution Map — SVG world map highlighting countries where the fish is found. Expects: distribution_country_codes (JSON array of ISO alpha-2 codes) #}

Conservation Status

Vulnerable IUCN Red List

Cherry Barb is classified as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Cherry Barb faces significant threats to its wild populations.

Edibility & Culinary

Taste

Not consumed — ornamental aquarium fish listed as Vulnerable in the wild; kept for its cherry-red coloration and peaceful schooling nature.

Aquarium Care

Care Level

Temperament

Peaceful

Min Tank Size

60 liters

Temperature

23-27

pH Range

6.0-8.0

Check aquarium compatibility for Cherry Barb with other fish species.

Compatibility Checker

Taxonomy

Order	Cypriniformes (Carps and minnows)
Family	Cyprinidae (Carps and minnows)
Species	Puntius titteya

Names in Other Languages

Language	Name
Spanish	Barbo cereza

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you eat Cherry Barb?

Not consumed — ornamental aquarium fish listed as Vulnerable in the wild; kept for its cherry-red coloration and peaceful schooling nature.

How big does Cherry Barb get?

Cherry Barb can grow up to 5.0 cm long and weigh 0.002 kg.

Is Cherry Barb good for aquariums?

Cherry barb has a easy care level, a peaceful temperament, requires a minimum tank size of 60 liters.

Where is Cherry Barb found?

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 declined due to habitat loss. 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.

Is Cherry Barb endangered?

The conservation status of Cherry Barb is Vulnerable according to the IUCN Red List.

What family does Cherry Barb belong to?

Cherry Barb (Puntius titteya) belongs to the family Cyprinidae (Carps and minnows) in the order Cypriniformes (Carps and minnows).