Care guide · Freshwater · fish

Cherry barb

Rohanella titteya

Photo: Brian Gratwicke · Source · CC BY 2.0Resized and compressed; no cropping or colour changes.

The cherry barb, Rohanella titteya, is a small Sri Lankan fish whose males can develop a deep red colour. Shops and older books often still call it Puntius titteya. It is calmer than the familiar tiger barb and consequently suits many planted community aquariums better. Do not expect a school moving as a single block all day: these barbs appreciate one another's company, but males also display from individual spots among plants. A group with escape routes works better than a lone pair in a bare tank. Bright males are no reason to select solely for colour; females and less dominant fish also need space and food. Moderate temperatures, fine complete food and quiet companions make this an interesting species for watching social behaviour at close quarters.

Plan your aquarium →

At a glance

Temperature: 22–25 °C
pH: 6.0–7.5
GH: 5–15 °dGH
Aquarium length: At least 60 cm
Adult size: Approximately 5 cm
Group size: At least 8 individuals
Swimming zone: Middle, Bottom
Temperament: Peaceful
Cover: Plants and sheltered areas
Staple food: Fine flakes, Small granules
Supplementary food: Live food, Frozen food, Finely crumbled dried natural food

Use at least sixty centimetres length for a well-arranged group of eight or more fish. Eighty centimetres or longer is preferable with several males or additional species. A larger group also needs more dispersed cover; extra water above the same small footprint does little to resolve pursuit.

About this species

The slender body differs clearly from the deeper-bodied tiger barb. A dark lengthwise stripe is particularly visible in females and less intensely coloured fish. Allow about five centimetres for an adult cherry barb. Males develop a richer red, whereas females generally remain browner and fuller-bodied.

The new genus name Rohanella follows taxonomic research. The old name remains useful as a search synonym and does not refer to a second aquarium species. Various ornamental forms exist, including altered colours and fins. A photograph of such a form cannot establish its precise wild origin. Ask about breeding background and select fish with normal posture and active food intake.

Natural habitat

The natural range lies in southwestern Sri Lanka, including the Kelani and Nilwala basin region. Shaded streams with fine substrate, stones and organic debris are important habitats. Shelter may come from overhanging bankside vegetation; the water need not be packed with submerged plants.

Aquarium plants can certainly provide calm areas and sight barriers. A practical planted tank is simply not automatically an exact biotope. Sri Lankan Cryptocoryne species are useful cover, but their country of origin does not prove that they grow beside this fish at the same locality. Combine soft substrate and a few rounded structures with open patches for foraging. Leave passages between plants so a pursued fish has several routes to choose from.

Aquarium and layout

Arrange plants in separate stands and interrupt long sightlines. Lower retreats, taller stems and some shade create different usable areas. Avoid providing only one dense clump into which every subordinate fish disappears. Filtration should maintain clean water without strong current everywhere. Cover the tank, keep the surroundings quiet during introduction and check that every fish is willing to use the open areas.

Water conditions

The selected maintenance range is 22–25 °C, pH 6–7.5 and GH 5–15. Published species advice extends more widely, and many traded fish are accustomed to varying water conditions. For routine care we choose moderate, stable conditions rather than an extreme.

Originating from a tropical island does not mean the heater should be set as high as possible. Check actual temperature and compare the water with the supplier's. Keep ammonia and nitrite undetectable, track nitrate and remove waste trapped among low plants. Regular water changes suited to the stocking are more useful than constantly adjusting pH. Change composition gradually when there is a concrete reason to do so.

Behaviour and group size

A group of at least eight offers more social opportunities than a few isolated fish. Males may defend small areas and display to each other, especially during reproduction. That differs from the persistent fin-nipping associated with some other barbs. Nevertheless, subordinate fish must be able to escape and continue feeding.

Avoid a strongly male-biased group chosen purely for colour. Watch how attention is distributed and provide several retreats; a fixed sex ratio cannot guarantee freedom from harassment. Quiet tetras, rasboras and suitable bottom dwellers are possible candidates where water and space requirements fit. Very boisterous fish and larger predators are poor choices. Small shrimp and fish larvae may be treated as food even when adult fish coexist peacefully.

Feeding

Cherry barbs are omnivores using both animal and plant material. Base the diet on a fine complete food with an appropriate composition. Small flakes or suitable granules may work; check that particles are readily taken and reduce their size if necessary. Red colouring on the packaging matters less than nutritional suitability and particle size.

Small live or frozen organisms add variety. Dried water fleas are a supplementary option, not a complete staple. Distribute the ration along different planted margins so one dominant fish cannot intercept everything. A hiding fish should not depend on old scraps on the bottom. Overfeeding to boost colour or breeding pollutes the water and cannot replace a balanced diet.

Breeding

The species deposits adhesive eggs among plants or other fine material and provides no parental care. A separate breeding tank allows the adults to be removed after spawning, reducing the chance of immediate egg predation. Healthy parents and prepared rearing facilities matter more than pursuing a large egg count.

Adult females are generally fuller; males may turn intensely red during courtship. Ensure a female can escape attention if she does not participate. Early fry need very small food organisms, with size increased gradually afterwards. Use gentle filtration that cannot suck up larvae and remove food waste carefully. This is an approachable breeding species, but the future destination of the growing fish should still be decided in advance.