Care Level: Easy

Temperament: Peaceful

Live Plant Safe: Yes

General Description: The Longfin Cherry Barb is an ornamental strain of the wild-type Cherry Barb that are endemic to the wet zone and drainages of Sri Lanka. Longfin cherry barbs typically exhibit sexual dimorphism – males are the characteristic “cherry red” color in which their name is derived, while females are a more washed-out orange color. Both sexes have a dark brown lateral stripe that runs the length of their body, with an elongated tail. Despite “barb” in their name, Longfin cherry barbs are rather timid and peaceful compared to the boisterous barb species we think of (e.g., Puntius tetrazona [Tiger Barb, Green Tiger Barb], P. padamya [Odessa Barb]). Longfin cherry barbs are natural schooling fish, requiring at least 8 to 10 individuals to avoid skittishness. More than one male can be kept in a school, but they may occasionally flare up at one another to gain the attention of females. An adult Longfin cherry barb can reach a size of approximately 2″. Longfin cherry barbs are one of the few cyprinids that will graze on nuisance hair algae.

Diet Requirements: Longfin cherry barbs are omnivores. A diet made up of various high quality vegetable based and protein based flake foods, sinking micro pellet foods and bug bites are ideal, in addition to offering frozen foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp and daphnia. Some emphasis should be put on offering ample plant or algal based foods for this species. Variety is the spice of life in order to maintain color, immune function and longevity of your fish. The red pigmentation of male Longfin cherry barbs may be accentuated further if fed a food with a high concentration of the carotenoid astaxanthin (such as New Life Spectrum Ultra Red pellets).

Care Requirements: An established minimum 10 gallon aquarium is ideal for a small group of Longfin cherry barbs. Longfin cherry barbs are intolerable of nitrite or ammonia spikes. Biweekly water changes are encouraged to keep water parameters favorable (Nitrates < 30 ppm). The aquarium does not need to be aquascaped with anything in particular to keep a school of Longfin cherry barbs happy, but a darker substrate, driftwood and other natural-looking arrangements will bring out the beauty of this barb. Longfin cherry barbs have been observed to show exceptional coloration in dense live planted aquariums. Longfin cherry barbs are extremely peaceful and rarely conflict with tank mates. Their timid nature, however, may make them not suitable for community aquariums that have overly rambunctious or competitive species. Mix Longfin cherry barbs with fish that have a similar temperament, and avoid species that could nip at their accentuated tails. Recommended water conditions, 72-78° F, KH 4-10, pH 6.0-8.0.

Purchase Size: Small: 1/2” to 3/4”; Medium: 1” to 1-1/4”; Large 1-1/2” to 1-3/4”

Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase sizes are approximate.