Cherry barbs (Puntius titteya) are a peaceful, schooling fish that originates from Sri Lanka. They are relatively easy to care for and make a great addition to any community aquarium. One of the things that makes cherry barbs so unique is their coloring; males have bright red bodies with black fins, while females are yellow-orange with brownish fins.
When it comes to water conditions, cherry barbs prefer neutral to slightly acidic water with a temperature range of 72-78 degrees Fahrenheit. They also like a little bit of current in their tank; too much flow can be overwhelming for them though, so be sure to provide plenty of hiding places and subdued lighting if you keep them in a high-flow aquarium. Cherry barbs are omnivorous and will accept most types of dry, frozen, or live food. Be sure to include plenty of plant matter in their diet as well since they are largely herbivorous in the wild.
In terms of tank mates, cherry barbs do best when kept with other peaceful fish such as guppies, mollies, platies, swordtails, and rasboras. They can also be kept with larger shrimp and snails without any problems. Avoid keeping them with nippy fish or those that may outcompete them for food though (e.g., tetras). All in all, cherry barbs make great additions to almost any community aquarium!