Species › Barbs

Cherry barb tank mates and minimum tank size

Puntius titteya

Cherry barbs grow to 5 cm (2 in). They live in groups: keep at least 10. They need 23–27 °C (73–81 °F) and pH 6.0–8.0.

Minimum tank

54 L (14 US gal), at least 60 cm (24 in) long

Adult size

5 cm (2 in)

Temperature

23–27 °C (73–81 °F)

pH

pH 6.0–8.0

Group

10 or more

Cherry barb minimum tank size

Cherry barbs need at least 54 L (14 US gal), in a tank at least 60 cm (24 in) long.

That is the largest minimum among the sources below. The planner also checks the tank length against the adult size of 5 cm (2 in): a tank shorter than 4 times that is cramped (20 cm (7.9 in)).

Cherry barb tank mates

Each of the other 52 species in this reference, judged against cherry barbs by the same rules as the compatibility checker. A guide, not a guarantee.

Compatible (37)

• Black neon tetra
• Black skirt tetra
• Bristlenose pleco
• Bronze corydoras
• Celestial pearl danio
• Chili rasbora
• Clown loach
• Common pleco
• Congo tetra
• Discus
• Dwarf gourami
• Ember tetra
• Endler's livebearer
• Glass catfish
• Glowlight tetra
• Guppy
• Harlequin rasbora
• Honey gourami
• Kribensis
• Kuhli loach
• Lemon tetra
• Molly
• Mystery snail
• Neon tetra
• Nerite snail
• Otocinclus
• Panda corydoras
• Pearl gourami
• Platy
• Pygmy corydoras
• Red tail shark
• Serpae tetra
• Siamese algae eater
• Swordtail
• Tiger barb
• Yoyo loach
• Zebra danio

With care (9)

• AngelfishAngelfish grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; cherry barbs grow to 5 cm.
• BettaBettas are usually best kept alone. Some accept calm tank mates such as cherry barbs, many do not.
• Boeseman's rainbowfishThe only temperature that suits both is 27 °C (81 °F), set by Boeseman's rainbowfish and cherry barbs. That leaves no margin.
• Cardinal tetraThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by cherry barbs and cardinal tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Cherry shrimpCherry barbs (5 cm) usually leave adult cherry shrimp (4 cm) alone but eat the young.
• Cockatoo dwarf cichlidThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by cherry barbs and cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin.
• German blue ramThe only temperature that suits both is 27 °C (81 °F), set by German blue rams and cherry barbs. That leaves no margin. The only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by cherry barbs and German blue rams. That leaves no margin.
• Peppered corydorasThe only temperature that suits both is 23 °C (73 °F), set by cherry barbs and peppered corydoras. That leaves no margin.
• Rummy-nose tetraThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by cherry barbs and rummy-nose tetras. That leaves no margin.

Not compatible (6)

• Convict cichlidConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so cherry barbs would be harassed. Convict cichlids grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; cherry barbs grow to 5 cm.
• GoldfishCherry barbs need 23–27 °C (73–81 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both.
• OscarOscars grow to 46 cm and eat animals they can swallow; cherry barbs grow to 5 cm.
• Paradise fishCherry barbs need 23–27 °C (73–81 °F); paradise fish need 16–22 °C (61–72 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Rosy barbCherry barbs need 23–27 °C (73–81 °F); rosy barbs need 18–22 °C (64–72 °F). No temperature suits both.
• White cloud mountain minnowCherry barbs need 23–27 °C (73–81 °F); white cloud mountain minnows need 18–22 °C (64–72 °F). No temperature suits both.

Sources

Where sources differ, the value shown is computed as the most cautious one.

Check against another species Plan a tank