Cherry Barb Beginner Care Guide | Basic Care For Cherry Barbs

About the Cherry Barb
Cherry barbs originate from small streams and rivers in Sri Lanka. They are a small peaceful schooling fish and have an average lifespan of around 4-5 years.

Between the bright red color of the males and how hardy these fish are, it is no wonder the cherry barb is so popular amongst fish keepers.

Tank Set Up
While these fish are small getting to be between 1.5-2 inches in size, because they are an extremely active schooling fish that needs to be kept in a minimum grouping of 5-6 fish, and they will do best in a minimum tank size of 20 gallons, but 30 plus gallons is preferred.

These are an extremely hardy fish that can thrive in a wide temperature range of between 73°- 81° Fahrenheit and prefer moderately soft to hard water with a pH of between 6 and 8.
When choosing a filter for cherry barbs you will want to choose one that has an adjustable or a low flow rate, as these fish come from slower moving waters. Power filters that allow you to regulate the water flow or a large sponge filter are popular options.

Cherry barbs can be shy and tend to be most active if kept in a heavily planted tank, with plenty of room to freely swim, and a darker substrate.

Tank Mates
Cherry barbs are a schooling fish and do best when kept in a minimum grouping of 5-6 while keeping at least 2-3 females per male in the tank.

Male and female cherry barbs are typically pretty easy to tell apart. Males are a bright red and slim while females are much lighter in color and have a more rounded body.

They are a peaceful fish and are an ideal candidate for a community aquarium. They are a mid to bottom dwelling fish and are compatible with many different species of similar size.

Some examples of different species that are often kept with these fish are neon or cardinal tetras, harlequin rasboras, platies, gouramis, mollies, white cloud minnows, clown loaches, and Corydoras.

Diet
For diet, cherry barbs are omnivores and are not known for being picky eaters. They do well on a diet consisting of a high-quality pellet or flake food, along with live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, or blood worms, and blanched vegetables.

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My Tanks And Favorite Supplies

Fish

Food
New Life Spectrum Community Fish Food https://amzn.to/2ThMqwn
New Life Spectrum Betta Fish Food https://amzn.to/2Ukj90K
Omega One Freeze Dried Bloodworms https://amzn.to/2TeZkv1

Medications
API General Cure https://amzn.to/2NET9dS
Melafix https://amzn.to/2tNQDsx
Pimafix https://amzn.to/2TjwsSI
Bettafix https://amzn.to/2NH7zKl
Methylene Blue https://amzn.to/2TbZd3m
Ich-X https://amzn.to/2Heumfj
Malachite Green https://amzn.to/2GYJK0g

Pacman Frogs

Tank
Zoo Med Naturalistic Terrarium http://amzn.to/2znZ9CD

Heating
Zilla Reptile Terrarium Heat Mats, Mini, 4 Watt http://amzn.to/2BS6rOh
Ceramic Heat bulb http://amzn.to/2BQPzaM
Night Heat Bulb http://amzn.to/2BDkydh

Décor
Zoo Med Eco Earth Compressed Coconut Fiber Substrate http://amzn.to/2jEwTSP
Zoo Med Habba Hut https://amzn.to/2EHXFFq

Tree Frogs

Tank
Green Tree Frog Tank http://amzn.to/2A4f0XQ

Lighting
Exo Terra Mini Hood https://amzn.to/2Helt5u
Exo Terra compact fluorescent Bulb https://amzn.to/2SElLF2

Substrate and Décor
Eco Earth http://amzn.to/2ApCq9P
Vines https://amzn.to/2Tg9ADg
Cork Bark Flats https://amzn.to/2TbkVoh

Crested Gecko

Tank
Crested Gecko Tank http://amzn.to/2A4f0XQ

Lighting
Exo Terra Mini Hood https://amzn.to/2Helt5u
Exo Terra compact fluorescent Bulb https://amzn.to/2SElLF2

Substrate and Décor
Eco Earth http://amzn.to/2ApCq9P
Vines https://amzn.to/2Tg9ADg
Cork Bark Flats https://amzn.to/2TbkVoh

Feeding
100 Count Small Gecko food and water cups http://amzn.to/2jRr0BJ
Repashy Crested Gecko Diet http://amzn.to/2nv6rQM

Cricket Care
Cricket keeper http://amzn.to/2BqwAGo
Cricket Calcium Diet http://amzn.to/2Bwhcsa
Cricket Water http://amzn.to/2ASiMDz

Cat Care
Petsafe Drinkwell Pagoda Fountain http://amzn.to/2yatNvC
Carbon Filter Replacement http://amzn.to/2kuN1d
Replacement Foam Filter http://amzn.to/2ivCn1Q
Natures Miracle Disposable Litter Box http://amzn.to/2Aoa4u7

My Filming Equipment
Canon EOS T6i DSLR http://amzn.to/2j3G0jt
Rode VMGO Video Mic GO http://amzn.to/2AWdw2h

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