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I want a few cherry barbs to add some color to my tank, but I've heard different opinions about whether they should be kept in pairs or groups. I don't think I have room for a large group, but I could definitely fit two or three.

http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/profiles/cherry.xml


www.responsiblethrashers.com

Thank you, but I've read that already and seen other sites that have conflicting information, so I just wanted to see if anyone had personal experience

What size tank & what other fish are in the tank?

Cherry barbs can be kept either in pairs or in groups, whichever you prefer or have room for. They will sometimes congregate together when in groups, but will tend to break off into male/female pairs once they feel safe with their tank. At least, this is my experience with them.
The cherries do look nicer and are happier when kept in shoals, but they are not as social as most of the other barb species. That being so, you can easily keep one pair in a tank without problems.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

What size tank & what other fish are in the tank?

29g, heavily planted
8 Pristella tetras
5 peppered corydoras
3 otos
1 opaline gourami

I think I'll probably go with just a pair for now, but if that works out I suppose I could fit a few more.

Last edited by Satinandtat at 02-Oct-2005 11:16

I think pairs are often mentioned as a stocking option simply because they don't need to be kept in schools/groups like other barbs.

I've always found them to be peaceful fish that keep to themselves. I started out with a pair in a 20g, later added a second pair, and have never had any problems with them.

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There is water at the bottom of the ocean

I personally keep my cherries in a 1m/2f ratio. I have them in a five gallon. Reasoning for keeping them this way was the same as for livebearers... spread out the male attentions a bit.

I first kept a pair in my five gallon with a male betta. Between the betta chasing the male cherry and the cherry chasing the female cherry... yeah, well, the poor lil girl disappeared, never to be seen again. Poor thing... The betta got his own tank and I added two female cherries (though not that nice red color, they are just darned cute!) and then the last two black neons from my school... Working well, and I've seen the male cherry chasing both females, so one or the other is always getting a rest.

Of course, this is in a small tank, might work out differently in a larger one.

~Meow. Thus spoke the cat.~

Get as much as you can fit in the tank. If you have space for 2 get 2, but if you have more space get more, as they are very nice fish.


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I love these fish. I have 6, 3 males,and 3 females in my 30 gallon tank. They tend to stay close to the bottom. They alternate chasing each other. They do hide quite a bit too. So, you want to provide them with a cave or log to hide in. They don't seem to school together like other fish. I would recommend an odd number if you're keeping it small. 3 would be good, 1 M and 2 F that way he would have two girls to chase. BTW, I also have an opaline gourami in there and he doesn't bother them and they don't bother him. HTH

Last edited by crazyred at 02-Oct-2005 16:35

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~~Melissa~~
"Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder."