Tankwise

A gentle, colourful barb — the best barb for a community tank.

  • Temperature22–27 °C
  • pH6–7.5
  • Minimum tank50 L
  • DifficultyBeginner
FoodFlake + frozen food
Feeding1–2 feeds a day
Water change25% weekly

Behaviour and habits

The cherry barb is the calm, well-behaved member of the barb family: a peaceful, slightly shy shoaler that flushes deep cherry-red in good conditions. Kept in a group of six or more, it is colourful and never a nuisance to long-finned tankmates, unlike the nippy tiger barb. It drifts among plants and open water, and its colour deepens in soft, planted water with a varied, insect-rich diet.

What to feed, and how often

Flake, micro-pellet and frozen foods, plus a little vegetable matter; feed once or twice a day. A varied, insect-rich diet brings out the males' deep red, and it is an unfussy feeder that suits a beginner.

Water changes and maintenance

Change about 25% weekly in soft-to-neutral water, matched closely. It is hardy and adaptable but looks and behaves best in a planted, stable tank with gentle water.

Care and how easy it is

One of the best barbs for a community tank — peaceful, hardy and colourful, provided it has a group and some cover.

Common health problems

Hardy; ich and fin rot appear mainly in poor conditions.

If it gets sick

Keep the water clean and warm, and treat early if spots or clamped fins appear.

Good tank mates

GuppyBeginner with population planning
GuppyPoecilia reticulata
  • 22-26 C
  • pH 7.0-8.5
  • 60 L+; 60 x 30 cm base
Livebearers | Social; males pursue females | Omnivore
PlatyBeginner
PlatyXiphophorus maculatus
  • 20–26°C
  • pH 7–8.2
  • 50 L+
Livebearers · Peaceful · Omnivore
MollyBeginner
MollyPoecilia sphenops
  • 22–28°C
  • pH 7–8.5
  • 70 L+
Livebearers · Peaceful · Omnivore

Best avoided with

Similar species

Harlequin rasboraBeginner
Harlequin rasboraTrigonostigma heteromorpha
  • 22–27°C
  • pH 6–7.5
  • 60 L+
Tetras & rasboras · Peaceful · Omnivore
Zebra danioBeginner
Zebra danioDanio rerio
  • 18–26°C
  • pH 6.5–8
  • 60 L+
Danios & minnows · Peaceful · Omnivore
White cloud mountain minnowBeginner
White cloud mountain minnowTanichthys albonubes
  • 16–24°C
  • pH 6–8
  • 50 L+
Danios & minnows · Peaceful · Omnivore

Compare at a glance

ParametersCherry barbHarlequin rasboraZebra danioWhite cloud mountain minnow
Parameters
Temp22–27 °C22–27 °C18–26 °C16–24 °C
pH6–7.56–7.56.5–86–8
GH4–15 °dGH2–12 °dGH4–20 °dGH4–18 °dGH
Min. tank50 L60 L60 L50 L
Size5 cm5 cm5 cm4 cm
DietOmnivoreOmnivoreOmnivoreOmnivore
TemperamentPeacefulPeacefulPeacefulPeaceful
DifficultyBeginnerBeginnerBeginnerBeginner

Care guides

GuideHow Often Should You Feed Fish?Overfeeding causes more aquarium problems than underfeeding. Here is a realistic feeding routine, and the signs that you are giving too much.GuideHow Often Should You Change Aquarium Water?Water changes remove waste that the filter cannot, and keep minerals topped up. There is no single number, but there is a simple way to find yours.GuideHow to Treat Ich (White Spot Disease)Ich looks alarming but is one of the most treatable fish diseases. Act early, raise the heat, and it clears within a week or two — here is how.

New to the words? See the aquarium glossary.

Sources and research notes

Parameters are typical ranges for the species in home aquariums and vary with the individual fish and the water you use.