The cherry barb (Puntius titteya) is a tropical fish belonging to the spotted barb genus of the Cyprinidae family. It is native to Sri Lanka, and introduced populations have become established in Mexico and Colombia. The species is commercially important in the aquarium trade, and the more colorful varieties are in danger of being over fished for this industry.
They were listed as a Lower Risk/conservation dependent species in 1996. The cherry barb is an elongated fish with a relatively compressed body. Males are redder than females, and they attain a very deep red colour when breeding. Females are lighter, with yellowish fins. The cherry barb will grow to two inches (five centimeters) in length.
The Cherry Barb’s natural environment is one of heavily shaded, shallow, and calm waters. Their native substrate is one of silt with leaf cover. When breeding, males swim just behind females, and chase away rival males. Adult cherry barbs will spawn 200 to 300 eggs and scatter them on plants and on the substrate.
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