Albino Cherry Barb

Albino Cherry Barb (Puntius titteya) is the albino form of the Cherry Barb — the vivid red pigmentation is reduced to a warm golden-yellow to cream tone, with red eyes. The lateral stripe is faint or absent. A softer, more subtly beautiful version of the species. The Cherry Barb is one of the most reliably beautiful, peaceful, and undemanding barbs in the hobby — a natural choice for planted community aquariums where its color and gentle nature can be appreciated without the fin-nipping concerns of larger barb species.

Feeding & Care Tip: Hikari Micro Pellets and Sera Vipan Tropical Flakes make excellent daily staples. Supplement 2–3× per week with Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Baby Brine Shrimp or Hikari Vibra Bites to enhance the vivid red male coloration. Feed small amounts 2–3 times daily.

Native to the slow-moving, heavily shaded forest streams of Sri Lanka — one of the most biodiverse and threatened freshwater environments in Asia. Wild populations are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due to habitat destruction; virtually all aquarium specimens are captive-bred. The natural habitat is soft, slightly acidic, heavily vegetated water with dense leaf litter and very gentle flow.

Keep in groups of at least six, with a mix of males and females. Male Cherry Barbs are most impressive when competing for female attention — the vivid cherry-red intensifies dramatically during display and spawning. Unlike Tiger Barbs, Cherry Barbs are completely peaceful and suitable for planted community tanks with other small, non-aggressive species. They pair beautifully with small tetras, nano rasboras, and Corydoras.

Cherry Barbs are egg-scatterers that spawn readily in a planted aquarium. Males develop their most vivid coloration during spawning and pursue females energetically through the plants. Eggs are scattered among fine-leaved plants and receive no parental care. In a well-planted community tank some fry will survive to adulthood.

Care & Ideal Parameters