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Hi! This is my first time posting in the Cyprinid forum. I purchased two male Cherry Barbs and I put them in a ten gallon with a Friendly betta. At first the betta was chasing them around like mad...now he's bored with them...and only occcasionally he shows them who's boss. (But it is so funny to see those tiny little fish swim circles around the betta..literally.) Well, I had some questions, and because of the Great Server Crash, I am having a hard time find the info I need. So, I am sorry for probably sounding repetitive to you...

1. How can i tell when a Male Cherry Barb is stressed?

2. How do I get them to come to the surface to eat?

3. What is the preferred kind of food for Cherry Barbs? Brand?

If any one has any helpful tips please feel free to reply...THANKS!!!!

1. How can i tell when a Male Cherry Barb is stressed?

Sorry, don't know about that one...I would think loss of color would be a big sign though.

2. How do I get them to come to the surface to eat?

Mine come to the surface, but if yours don't try sinking the food instead. If feeding flake take a pinch between your fingers, hold your hand in the water for a bit, then let go.

3. What is the preferred kind of food for Cherry Barbs? Brand?

My cherries will eat anything I feed the tank...flake, frozen, freeze-dried, live foods...they'll even venture to the bottom to nibble at the wafers I drop for my cories.


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1. How can i tell when a Male Cherry Barb is stressed?
I would have to agree with Theresa, loss of color would be a big sign, also clamped fins would be as well.

2. How do I get them to come to the surface to eat?
My Cherrys dont come to the top for food, they stay around mid level with the neons. I just make sure I add enough food so that some sinks down to their level for them, and I make sure I see them eat.

3. What is the preferred kind of food for Cherry Barbs? Brand?
My cherrys like OSI Brine Shrimp Flakes, Staple Flake is a Pond No Name Bulk Brand, HBH 8Veggie Flake, they love Red Grubs/Bloodworms, Tubifex, and Frozen Bloodworms and Daphnia. They eat everything.

If you think they are stressed, try adding some more plants for them to hide in! [/font]


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1. The usual signs of stress are clamped fins, color loss, lack of appetite, and eratic skittishness.

2. For new fish, it sometimes takes a while for them to come to the surface for food. I'd keep feeding them the same kind of food for a while, and sprinkle some on the surface of the water, and move away from the tank. Then again, it may not work, as cherries are reportedly shy. I've found for relatively timid fish, turkey basters/eye droppers are some of the most useful utensils for sinking flake and pellet without getting yoru hands wet.

3. As previously stated, they are generally not picky eaters.

Thanks everybody! i love these forums!

I did do my research before buying these fish, I just didn't think of these questions...i don't want anyone to think i did an impulse buy...lol.

They are eating some of the tropical flakes that float down. And the betta leaves them alone...except when they invade his "personal space" lol.. I made sure that there are a lot of hiding places for them.. So far they don't have any of those signs of stress. So, i guess they're happy....

Again, THANK YOU!!!

My Cherry Barbs, Tiger Barbs, etc. never ate at the top of the tank. They waited for the filter return to toss the food down. If you look at the mouth of the fish you can just about see what kind of feeder it is. Alot of the top feeders have flat heads, middle tank feeders have more pointed heads. And well, look at a cory for a botton feeder.