Advice on cherry barb ratio/stocking

Z

ZannaClaire

AC Members
Apr 3, 2005
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I've finally just about finished stocking my moderately planted 55 tank, two years in the making. Allllmost perfect. I've got four male cherry barbs (no ladies) and want to up my school to eight. I originally wanted males only for a pop of color, without looking like a ton of different species of fish (males females noticeably different) I'm ok with the less vibrant male coloration, but not getting the sparring behavior I was hoping for (my tank is full of very calm, subtly colored fish, cherries were supposed to be the action).

I want four more cherries. Would more males encourage the sparring behavior, or do I -need- females? If I need the females, would 4:4 m/f be ok? Don't want more than eight total, my tank is about maxed and I have eight in each of my other schools.

Thanks!
 
I do not think any ratio of Chery Barbs will be a problem. They are group spawners so the Ratio would not matter.
 
I had cherry barbs in my planted 75, and found them to be a little secretive in comparison to my tetras. They don't purposely hide but their behaviors put them in dense vegetation quite often. I had 7 or 8 total and often would not see a single one when I glanced at the tank. They would swim from one area to another and I would see them but they were often deep in the plants. They evidently spawned because I saw baby cherry barbs growing up in the tank thickets.

I have seen more action from zebra danio males than cherry barb males for example.
 
Any ratio? So seven males and one female would not stress her and still encourage male behavior?

Aw babies :( I don't think I want to deal with that. Do they get eaten/preventative measures?

I've had rotten luck w zebras. I want to love them but I've only had bad batches with deformities or waste away (I ruled out fish TB, I think just bad breeding). My water is fine and all other species great.

**in case anyone is curious, stocked with ghost catfish, harlequin rasbora, false julii cory, cherry barb.
 
Cherry barbs are one fish that can reproduce in a well planted tank and not need anything special done for them to do so. You won't have large numbers grow up but a few may make it to adulthood. This isn't as sure a thing as with live bearers but it is not uncommon.

I might go with one more male and three females. That would be enough to spread the attention around and still give you more males than females.
 
I agree with snakeice, one more male and three females would be the way that I would go. You may get some spawning but with cories, most eggs will likely get eaten as they are egg scattering fish. I doubt too many will survive. Depending on your cory levels you may be just as likely to end up with eggs there tbh.
 
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