Rosy and Cherry Barbs
These loose shoalers come in a variety of colors and fin types, and they are not picky about their water.
By
David A. Lass |
Rosy barbs and cherry barbs have been available in the aquarium hobby for many years, as they are beautiful and hardy fish with no special requirements. I’ll give you an idea of what old favorites they are (and what an old fishkeeper I am): I kept both species when I was a kid back in the 1960s.
The rosy barb (Puntius conchonius) and cherry barb (P. titteya) both are found wild in Asia, primarily in the countries in and around the Indian subcontinent. All of these fish that you find at your local fish store have been farmed commercially in either Florida or the Far East. The quality of rosy and cherry barbs from Florida farms is generally much better than fish from the Asian farms. Both barbs make excellent aquarium fish, as they are tolerant of less-than-ideal water conditions.
Want to read the full story? Pick up the January 2011 issue of Aquarium Fish International today.
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Rosy and Cherry Barbs