Edit Puntius titteya

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Name

Scientific name

Puntius titteya

Described by

Authority Deraniyagala, Year 1929

Family

Cyprinidae

Summary

The cherry barb, Puntius titteya, is a small cyprinid endemic to the Kelani and Nilwala river basins in the southwestern 'wet zone' of Sri …

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

50mm, standard length

Tank size

Minimum length 60 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm

Water

Temperature and pH

Temperature 20–27°C, pH 6–8

Hardness

2–20dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Peaceful

Community suitability

Community-safe

Where it lives

Countries

Sri Lanka

Supporting text

Etymology

Puntius: from the Bengali pungti, a vernacular term for small cyprinids. titteya: appears to follow a local vernacular name for the fish.

Distribution

Endemic to Sri Lanka where it is restricted to the Kelani and Nilwala river basins in the southwestern 'wet zone' of the island, plus smaller drainages in the …

Habitat

The 'wet zone' of southwestern Sri Lanka is an area receiving annual rainfall of 2000 – 3000 mm79 – 118 in, much of which arrives during the South-West monsoon…

Aquarium size

Base dimensions of at least 60 ∗ 30 cm24 ∗ 12 in or equivalent are required.

Maintenance

Choice of décor is not especially critical though it tends to show better colouration in a heavily-planted set-up with a dark substrate. The addition of some f…

Water conditions

Temperature: 20 – 27 °C68 – 81 °F pH: The farm-raised fish available in stores are fairly adaptable where water chemistry is concerned and should be happy with…

Diet

Wild fish are probably foragers feeding on diatoms, algae, organic detritus, small insects, worms, crustaceans, and other zooplankton. In the aquarium it is ea…

Behaviour and compatibility

Generally very peaceful making it an ideal resident of the well-researched community aquarium. As it places no special demands in terms of water chemistry it c…

Sexual dimorphism

Adult males are noticeably smaller, slimmer, and more colourful than females, especially when in spawning condition. Some ornamental strains appear to have bee…

Reproduction

Like most small cyprinids Puntius spp. are egg-scattering free spawners exhibiting no parental care. When in good condition they will spawn often and in a matu…

Like most small cyprinids Puntius spp. are egg-scattering free spawners exhibiting no parental care.

When in good condition they will spawn often and in a mature aquarium it is possible that small numbers of fry may start to appear without intervention.

However if you want to maximise yield a more controlled approach is required.

The adult group can still be conditioned together but a smaller aquarium should also be set up and filled with mature water.

This should be very dimly lit and the base covered with some kind of mesh of a large enough grade so that the eggs can fall through but small enough so that the adults cannot reach them. The widely available plastic 'grass'-type matting can also be used and works well, as does a layer of glass marbles.

Alternatively filling much of the tank with a fine-leaved plant such as Taxiphyllum spp. or spawning mops can also return decent results.

The water itself should be of slightly acidic to neutral pH with a temperature towards the upper end of the range suggested above, and an air-powered sponge filter or air stone(s) should also be included to provide oxygenation and water movement.

When the adults are well-conditioned and the females appear gravid one or two pairs should then be introduced, and spawning should take place the following morning.

An alternative is to spawn the fish in a group with half a dozen specimens of each sex being a good number, although a larger aquarium may be necessary.

In either situation the adults will probably eat the eggs given the chance and should be removed as soon as any are noticed.

These should hatch in 24 - 48 hours with the fry free swimming around 24 hours later.

They should be fed on an infusoria-grade food for the first few days until large enough to accept microworm, Artemia nauplii, or suchlike.

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Where does this come from?

My own experienceFor example, I've kept twelve in a planted 60 cm tank since March 2024.A website I sawFor example, an IUCN Red List assessment, a museum catalogue or a FishBase page.A paperFor example, Marshall et al. (2011), Water temperature differences in interfluvial palm swamp habitats of Paracheirodon axelrodi and P. simulans.A book, or something not onlineFor example, Tappin (2010), Rainbowfishes: their care and keeping in captivity.Something already on the profileFor example, the Behaviour and compatibility section already says this.

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DOI

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Authors

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Year

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Pages

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Notes

P. titteya is an unreserved choice for beginners and is among the most ubiquitous small cyprinids in the aquarium hobby. The vast majority of fish on sale are …

References

5 on this profile

Name

Scientific name

Described by

Family

Summary

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

Tank size

Water

Temperature and pH

Hardness

Conductivity

Behaviour

Temperament

Social needs

Community suitability

Where it lives

Countries

Supporting text

Etymology

Distribution

Habitat

Aquarium size

Maintenance

Water conditions

Diet

Behaviour and compatibility

Sexual dimorphism

Reproduction

Notes

References

References