Tank setup
A minimum 40L aquarium suits Cherry Barb. Provide hiding spots and stable water — this species thrives in a well-filtered community setup.
Where to buy
Compare prices from SA aquarium shops listing Cherry Barb.
What Cherry Barb costs in South Africa
14 price points from 7 shops over 90 days
R29
cheapest of 6 shops today
↤ R30med R35R78
Great price−17%Down 6.7% versus the previous two months
SA median R35 across 7 shops over the last 90 days.
7 shops
Community Marketplace
Fellow hobbyists may also be selling Cherry Barb.
Want Cherry Barb?
Tell shops you're looking — be the first to signal demand.
Overview
What to know before you buy.
A peaceful and beautifully colored small fish, the Cherry Barb is an ideal inhabitant for most community aquariums. Unlike their more boisterous relatives, they are shy and reserved. Males develop a stunning, deep cherry-red coloration when in breeding condition, which contrasts beautifully with the more subdued orange-brown of the females. They are best kept in a well-planted tank with plenty of hiding spaces, which will help them feel secure and display their best colors. A school of at least five is recommended.
Key traits
barb
peaceful
nano
community
easy
small
omnivore
schooling
breeds in captivity
Compatibility
Select a tank to see how this species fits.
Care guide
Everything you need to keep Cherry Barb healthy in a South African setup.
Water parameters
Keep pH 6–7 and 23–27°C. Stable parameters matter more than chasing perfect numbers — acclimate new arrivals slowly.
Feeding
Cherry Barb is omnivore. Feed a varied diet appropriate for freshwater fish — quality flakes, pellets, or frozen foods sized to the mouth.
Behaviour
Cherry Barb is generally peaceful. Keep in a group where possible for natural behaviour.
Tankmates
Pair with similarly sized peaceful tankmates in freshwater fish. Avoid fin-nippers or species that outgrow this fish.
Breeding
Breeding notes for Cherry Barb vary by line and water chemistry — ask your local shop about proven pairs in SA.
Settling this fish in?
Condition the tap water, seed the filter, test through the first weeks — most early losses trace back to one of those.
3-PIECE KIT
Availability confirmed with the distributor before dispatch · free delivery over r750
Community photos
From hobbyists across SA.
Photo by FishHubAdmin
Market intelligence
Price trends and buyer demand — data only FishHub tracks.
Price history — last 90 days
SA price range this month: R29–85 · Average: R45
This data is unique to FishHub
Demand by province
No active alerts for Cherry Barb yet. Be the first to set one.
Often kept with
Real pairwise verdicts for Cherry Barb, not a same-category guess. Always confirm adult size and your tank's specifics before buying.
- Often kept together
Pristella Tetra
Pristella maxillaris
In a 40L+ tank
- Often kept together
Black Ruby Barb
Pethia nigrofasciata
In a 75L+ tank
- Often kept together
Giant Gourami
Osphronemus goramy
In a 1000L+ tank
- Often kept together
Crystal Black Shrimp
Caridina cantonensis var. 'Crystal Black'
In a 40L+ tank
- Often kept together
Corydoras Julii
Corydoras julii
In a 40L+ tank
- Often kept together
Red-bellied Pacu
Piaractus brachypomus
In a 1500L+ tank
- Often kept together
Orange Sakura Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi var. 'Orange Sakura'
In a 40L+ tank
- Often kept together
Black Phantom Tetra
Hyphessobrycon megalopterus
In a 40L+ tank