In the natural environment, the habitat of the cherry barbus is shallow, densely overgrown with vegetation streams in Mexico, Colombia and Sri Lanka. In the USSR, this fish was introduced in 1956. Due to its unpretentiousness, the barbus of this variety in our country quickly became very popular with aquarists and was bred in huge quantities.
general description
The cherry barbus (Puntius titteya) belongs to the family of cyprinids. This fish was first described in 1929. Characteristic features of the barbus of this variety are:
The mouth of these fish is located at the bottom of the head. On both sides there are small antennae. The body and fins of Puntius titteya have a bright cherry color. From here the name of the fish actually went. The females of the cherry barbus, and in the photo below it can be seen very well, have a faded color than the males.
Puntius titteya looks very impressive in this way. But, of course, the veil cherry barbus looks even more beautiful. Such fish are also very popular with domestic aquarists.
Behavior features
Puntius titteya, like other varieties of barbs, belongs to the group of schooling fish. Keep in the aquarium only one or two such individuals can not. Otherwise, the fish may get sick or even die. The optimal number of individuals in one amateur aquarium are considered 5-7. For such a flock, a capacity of 50-60 liters is suitable. But it’s better to buy a larger aquarium for barbs and plant more barbs there. In this case, watching Puntius titteya will be much more interesting.
By the nature of the barbus of this variety - the fish is very calm, peaceful and even a little shy and shy. In order for Puntius titteya to feel comfortable, more plants should be planted in the aquarium. The presence of several shelters is a prerequisite for the successful maintenance of a cherry barbus.
Plants in the aquarium for Puntius titteya should be planted along the back wall and in the center. It is believed that cryptocorins are best suited for cherry barbs. The bottom of the aquarium must be closed with some fine-grained non-alkaline and not particularly light soil.
Since the cherry barbus is a very mobile fish, it is best to buy for it not too high, but at the same time a rather long aquarium. Sometimes Puntius titteya, unfortunately, can jump out of the water. Therefore, the aquarium in which they are kept is additionally better covered with a backlit cover for plants.
Biological features
Barbs live in aquariums, usually about 5 years. However, with good maintenance, this period can increase up to 7 years. Puberty in these fish occurs at about six to eight months. You can distinguish between males and females of Puntius titteya at the age of 3 months.
Cherry Barbus: Compatibility
Since the character of this fish is calm, it is recommended to keep it in the same aquarium only with peaceful neighbors. This can be, for example, thorns, black phantoms, corridors, strips, zebrafish, neon, various small live-bearers, etc.
Also Puntius titteya is often held simultaneously with the usual Sumatran barbs. It is not recommended to plant these timid fish in one aquarium with large representatives of the underwater fauna. Due to constant stress, cherry barbs in such a neighborhood can get sick.
It is also not recommended to keep this fish in the same aquarium with veil neighbors. Like Sumatran, cherry barbs are not indifferent to such representatives of the underwater fauna. They will try to pat the fins of the veil fish.
Many experienced aquarists are advised not to contain barbs of this species in the same aquarium with shrimp. In this case, the danger, however, lies not with Puntius titteya, but with these crustaceans themselves. The fact is that such barbs are not at all averse to eating young shrimp. Therefore, the population of these crustaceans in the aquarium with Puntius titteya will constantly decline.
Where to install the aquarium
Calm cherry barbus, like any other peace-loving fish, must be protected from stress. Putting an aquarium with Puntius titteya in places where people often go, or, for example, in a children's room is not recommended. The barbs will feel best in the most relaxed atmosphere. Install aquariums with these fish, usually somewhere in the living room in the far corner. Too bright light for these fish, of course, is also not needed.
Water parameters
Substitutions in an aquarium with such fish should be made standard. That is, about 10% of the water needs to be changed per week. Of course, as with almost any other aquarium fish, you will need to purchase a high-quality filter of sufficient power for cherry barbs. It will be very nice to put an aerator in the aquarium as well.
Under natural conditions, as already mentioned, this fish lives in shaded, densely overgrown ponds. Therefore, she likes neutral or slightly acidic water. Suitable parameters in this regard for a cherry barbus is a pH of 6.5 to 7.
The climate in Mexico and Colombia is known to be hot. Therefore, cherry barbus, of course, does not like too cold water. But since he still lives not in lakes, but in streams, he also does not need to maintain too high a temperature in the aquarium. The water temperature of 22-25 ° C will be quite sufficient for this fish.
In terms of stiffness, Puntius titteya is considered completely unpretentious. In this regard, almost any aquarium habitat is suitable for him. But softer this fish still loves more.
What to feed
Fish barbus cherry - carnivorous. In nature, Puntius titteya feeds mainly on insects and their larvae, as well as detritus. Therefore, when kept at home, such a barbecue should be fed mainly with bloodworms and daphnia.
But of course, sometimes these fish should be offered vegetable feed. This can be, for example, boiled carrots, grated salad and spinach, etc.
Of course, you can feed Puntius titteya and ready-made dry mixes purchased. But to choose for these fish, of course, is only quality food. Very good for cherry barbs, for example, Tetra flakes are suitable. Of course, to purchase for Puntius titteya should be food intended for carnivorous fish.
How to distinguish a male from a female
Many aquarists, of course, would like to learn about how to breed these beautiful unpretentious fish. It is very easy to distinguish the male cherry barbus from the female, as already mentioned. The difference in color and size of Puntius titteya of different sexes is immediately evident.
The males of the cherry barbus look very beautiful both in the photo and in the aquarium. Their color is bright red. Their fins also have a thin black edging. A dark strip runs along the whole body of the fish.
Puntius titteya females do not look as impressive as representatives of the opposite sex. The back is dark orange and the abdomen is white. Fins in females are yellowish in color.
Breeding cherry barbus
Most aquarists believe that getting fry of this fish at home is not too difficult. For breeding, the male and female Puntius titteya first need to be planted for about a week. All fish should be fed with live food all this time.
You can determine the readiness of cherry barbs for reproduction by the rounded belly of the female and increase the intensity of the color of the male. At this point, the fish should be put in a common spawning ground. Aquarists who want to breed barbs of this variety, of course, among other things, need to know how to properly equip this aquarium.
Puntius titteya females spawn eggs and plants on eggs. That is, they must be present in spawning. The water in the aquarium should be warm enough. After spawning of cherry barbs, producers should be transferred back to the general aquarium. Otherwise, they can eat caviar and fry.
Fertilized caviar of Puntius titteya matures in about 2 days. The fry of the cherry barbus begin to swim already on the 4th day. Feed the young growth of this fish should be ciliates and artemia. Giving dry food to fry is not recommended.
You can plant young barbs in a common aquarium immediately after the length of their body reaches 2.5 cm.