Scientific classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cypriniformes
Family: Cyprinidae
Subfamily: Barbinae
Genus: Puntius
Species: P. titteya
Binomial Name: Puntius titteya
Source: en.wikipedia.org

What is Cherry Barb

The cherry barb (Puntiustitteya) is a tropical freshwater fish that belongs to the Cyprinidae family. It is found in tropical freshwater habitats. Originally from Sri Lanka, it has since spread to Mexico and Colombia, where introduced populations have grown entrenched. Puntiustitteya was given to the cherry barb by Paules Edward PierisDeraniyagala in 1929, and it is the species’ scientific name. Barbustitteya and Capoetatitteya are two synonyms for this species.

Overcollection and habitat loss have resulted in the species becoming financially important in the aquarium trade and being farmed in greater numbers. Nonetheless, the species continues to be threatened by overcollection and habitat loss.

Description

The cherry barb is a little elongated fish with a compressed body that is found in the tropics. It can grow up to 5 cm (2 in) in length. A fawn-colored sheen is seen on the top of the female’s body, with a tiny greenish sheen on the sides. The sides and belly of the creature are adorned with shimmering silver embellishments. When viewed from the back and upper sides, it may appear pink. There is a horizontal stripe that runs from the tip of the snout, through the eye, and all the way down to the base of the caudal fin. In addition to having a more slender body form, the male has a reddish tint that deepens when it is breeding season. When the females are ready to reproduce, they have two pinkish hue stripes along their flanks, which become darker as the season progresses.

Habitat

The cherry barb’s natural habitat consists of a water body that is heavily shaded, shallow, and tranquil. This species’ native substrate is silty and covered with leaf cover. Since it originates in a tropical region, it prefers water with a pH of 6 to 8, a water hardness (DH) of 5 to 19, and a temperature range of 72 °F to 81 °F (23 ° C to 27 °C).

In the aquarium

Aquarium hobbyists most commonly keep the fish in communal tanks, where it thrives. The cherry barb is a schooling fish, and it is best housed in groups of five or more individuals[4], however, the schools of cherry barbs are often less distinct than those of other barbs in the aquarium. There will almost certainly be a hierarchical structure within these schools. There should be a minimum of two females to every male in the group. The male will constantly harass the ladies in order to get them to breed, and if there are numerous females, each will be able to escape the male’s attention for a period of time. The typical life expectancy is four years, with a maximum of approximately seven years in the wild. However, the fish want an open area to swim, thus the tank should have plenty of plant material (approximately two-thirds to three-quarters of the tank’s total volume). It prefers to remain hidden and may frequently withdraw behind the cover of vegetation. When it comes to breeding, the younger male is normally tranquil, but a mature male can be aggressive when it comes to mating. Rasbora and other calm fish are good tankmates for this species of fish.

Breeding

When mating, the male swims close to the female, scaring away any other males that might be interested. The female will lay 200 to 300 eggs, which she will disperse among the plants and on the substrate. It is permitted to consume its own eggs and small fry. The eggs hatch in one to two days, and the fry is able to swim freely after another two days. After five weeks, the hatchlings will be approximately one centimeter long and immediately distinguishable from other cherry barbs.

Image Credit
Source: blog.tetra.net

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