Cherry Barb Puntius Titteya 3cm
Image for illustration purposes only. Exact colours, patterns, and size may vary between individuals.
Delivered alive, guaranteed
Live fish delivery is £20 per order, delivered Thursday, Friday or Saturday, arriving before 1:00pm on the day you choose at checkout. Packed by aquatic specialists and shipped overnight with a dedicated livestock courier, every fish is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee with automatic refunds. See How Live Fish Delivery Works for full details.
When will my fish arrive?
| Order placed | Delivery day |
|---|---|
| Up to Monday 11:00am | Thursday (that week) |
| Monday after 11:00am – Tuesday 11:00am | Friday (that week) |
| Tuesday after 11:00am – Wednesday 11:00am | Saturday (that week) |
| Wednesday after 11:00am – Sunday (any time) | Thursday (following week) |
Overview
The Cherry Barb is a slender little barb whose males turn a rich cherry red when settled and courting, while females stay a warm pinkish brown with a dark lateral stripe. It comes from shaded, leaf-strewn rainforest streams in south-western Sri Lanka. Peaceful and undemanding, it is ideal for planted community tanks, nano setups and newcomers.
- Adult Size: Around 5 cm (2 in); males slightly smaller and slimmer
- Lifespan: 4–6 years
Origin
- Native to: Kelani and Nilwala basins, south-western Sri Lanka
- Habitat: Shaded, shallow, clear forest streams with leaf litter
Feeding
- Diet: Omnivorous
- Preferred Foods: Quality flake with plant content, micro granules, bloodworm, daphnia, brine shrimp
- Feeding Habits: Feed small amounts twice daily; plant-based foods keep the red colour strong
Tank Mates
- Best with: Tetras, rasboras, Corydoras, livebearers, dwarf gouramis, shrimp
- Avoid: Tiger barbs and other nippers, large or aggressive fish
Aggression & Behaviour
- Temperament: Very peaceful, slightly shy
- Territoriality: Minimal; males chase each other harmlessly
Experience Level
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Challenges: Fades and hides without cover and companions
Water Parameters
- Water Type: Freshwater, soft to moderately hard, neutral
- Temperature: 20–27°C (68–81°F)
- pH: 6.0–8.0
- Hardness: 2–20 dGH
- Flow: Slow to moderate
- Tank Size: Minimum 60 litres for a group of six or more
Final Notes
Cherry barbs shoal loosely rather than tightly, so keep six or more with extra females to spread male attention. Dark substrate, floating plants and driftwood bring out the red. Sexing is easy: males are red and slimmer, females browner and rounder. They scatter eggs among fine-leaved plants and fry sometimes survive in mature tanks. Hardy farm-bred stock adapts well, making this one of the most reliable small community fish.
Please Note
The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Birchwood Aquatic Centre shop. Species sold at the Birchwood Aquatic Centre physical store may differ from ones available to order to your door.
Frequently Asked Questions
In insulated boxes designed for live transport, packed by aquatic specialists,
overnight with a licensed live-animal courier, arriving before 1pm.
It is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee.
Photograph it within 4 hours of delivery, email info@birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk with your order number, and the refund is processed automatically. The cover continues for 7 days after arrival.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You pick your day at checkout; please choose a day someone is home.
Yes. One basket, one checkout; the fish arrive with the specialist courier and the rest of your order ships as normal.
We can deliver to UK mainland only for live fish.
Follow the five-minute acclimatisation steps in our When Your Fish Arrive guide: float the bags, add tank water gradually, net the fish in, lights low, feed tomorrow.