How to Breed Cherry Barbs

Scientifically known as Barbus titteya, cherry barb fish get their name from the bright red color the male fish turns when ready to mate. These fish are easy to breed in captivity and it is good to do so, as these Sri Lankan natives are on the decline in the wild. Cherry barbs are only about two inches in length and will swim everywhere in an aquarium, unlike other species who prefer to swim only in certain areas.

Things You'll Need

  • 5 or 10 gallon aquarium
  • Aquarium filter and heater
  • Gravel or marbles
  • Aquarium plants (artificial plants are acceptable)
  • Black paper or cloth
  • Fish net
  • Nylon tank barrier
  • Bloodworms and brine shrimp (alive or frozen)
  • Fry food
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Instructions

    • 1

      Create a breeding tank in a five or ten gallon aquarium. Add gravel or marbles, plants, a heater and a filter to this tank as well as some water from your already established cherry barb tank.

    • 2

      Operate your breeding tank without fish in it for about a month. The goal is to get the temperature and pH levels in the breeding tank as close as possible to your established tank.

    • 3

      Attach a piece of black paper or fabric to the back of the breeding tank. This will make it much easier to see the fry that your fish produce after spawning.

    • 4

      Place a canvas divider in the middle of the breeding tank to keep the males and females apart until you are ready to introduce them.

    • 5

      Transfer the cherry barbs you plan on breeding into your new tank, making sure to keep males on one side of the divider and females on the other. Aquatic Community recommends choosing the brightest red males and the plumpest females. You only need to add between two to four fish to your breeding aquarium as cherry barbs will breed with little encouragement.

    • 6

      Keep the fish separated and prepare them for breeding by giving them a week to get used to the breeding tank. During this time, it is important to feed the fish a rich diet of bloodworms and brine shrimp. Small feedings three to five times day are best. According to About Fish Online, cherry barbs breed best in water that is between 77 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit with a pH of around 6.5. Keep up this prep work for a week to two weeks before breeding.

    • 7

      Turn off all the lights near your fish tank before you go to bed at night and remove the divider from the tank. Note the size of your female fish, as a change in her size will indicate that the spawning is complete.

    • 8

      Check your fish in the morning to see if they have spawned. The female will be smaller then she was the night before if spawning has occurred. If the fish have spawned, remove the adult fish from the breeding tank. If they have not yet spawned, leave the fish in the tank and try leaving the fish in the dark for another night.

    • 9

      Begin feeding the fry in the breeding tank with an appropriate fry food two days after spawning.