Bettas are too aggressive to live with other fish in the tank, but they will feel lonely and bored if they live alone.
So which fish can become tankmates for them? Well, small, peaceful, and do not disturb Betta will be the best companions.
In the article below, we will learn about the cohabitation of Cherry Barb and Betta. Can they live together in harmony?
Contents
Are Cherry Barb and Betta Good Tankmates?
Yes. Cherry Barbs and Bettas can completely live together because they share the same living conditions and eat the same food.
Like humans, Betta has a different personality. Some enjoy relaxing or sleeping in caves and only come to the surface when it’s time to feed.
These guys will be more active when kept with a few other fish of different species. A few active companions will help the Betta.
However, some other Bettas are very aggressive and will attack any fish that enter their territory.
The Cherry Barb looks like a good match for the Betta. These energetic fish are good-looking, easy to keep, and suitable for a large, peaceful aquarium.
How Many Cherry Barbs Can You Keep With Bettas?
You can keep 6 or 7 Cherry Barb in 20 gallons of a Betta aquarium. The size of the fish will determine how much space they need to live.
If your fish are longer than an inch, you should keep them in a larger tank.
Like the Betta, the Cherry Barb is also a territorial fish that protects its habitat from other fish.
If you release the same Betta as the Cherry Barb, they may fight with each other to protect their territory.
Therefore, you need to make wise decisions in choosing the aquarium size.
What Should You Do When A Betta Chases A Cherry Barb?
First, you need to expand the size of the aquarium. Betta usually does not allow other fish to enter their territory.
When Cherry Barbs sneak into Betta’s living area, Betta becomes aggressive and hits them.
A large aquarium will help keep these two fishes apart, and there will be no territorial disputes.
Besides, you can use plants to create hiding space in the aquarium. When Betta can’t find the Cherry Barb, the chase ends.
What Size Aquarium For Bettas With Cherry Barbs?
The minimum tank size for you to keep them is 20 gallons (78 liters).
Many fish in a small aquarium can create attacks. These fish are hostile and often compete for territory and food.
Cherry Barbs are schooling fish; the appropriate number of fish to keep is 6 or more.
Besides, they are active swimmers, so you need to prepare more space. This will help them become happy and produce many beautiful colors.
In particular, you can try planting plants and decorating the aquarium.
If these plants take up more space, then increase the size of the tank to 30 gallons so they can swim freely.
How Should a Betta and Cherry Barb Tank Be Set Up?
While Bettas are usually not fussy about how to set up an aquarium, Cherry Barbs consider this essential for their safety.
Not only does Cherry Barbs stand out against the green setting of a well decorated tank, but they also feel safer and more comfortable.
When setting up a 20-gallon aquarium for Betta and 10 Cherry Barb, you’ll start with a fine gravel substrate and prepare some aquarium-safe wood with a few colored stones.
It would help to decorate the aquarium with many plants to make them feel safer. The tank will look more natural, and the fish will blend in quickly.
FAQs
Can Betta Kill Cherry Barbs?
Yes. Betta can kill Cherry Barbs, particularly attacking the small fins of the others and chase them in the aquarium.
Without fins, dugout barbs can be infected with dangerous diseases. Bacteria will live on broken fins, and they will die.
Therefore, when keeping bettas and cherry barbs together, you must know how to handle their aggression.
If the bettas cannot swim comfortably in the tank, they will get angry and attack other fish.
At What Temperature Do Cherry Barbs And Bettas Live?
The two dwellers are suitable for temperatures between 75° and 80°F in the water.
They can still live at higher temperatures, but this will make them more violent.
When the weather is cold, there are a few things that you need to do to control the condition of the water in the tank, such as filtering the water, heating it, or changing the water weekly.
When the water temperature drops, the Cherry Barb becomes less active and spends most of its time in the cave. It grows harder and is more susceptible to disease.
Meanwhile, Bettas enjoy coming to the surface and absorbing oxygen from the fresh air in such a case. This is a sign that both are having health problems.
If the water condition continues like this, they will get sick and possibly die.
Can Cherry Barbs Live With Female Bettas?
Yes. The Cherry Barb will make a perfect companion for a female Betta.
They live in the same habitat and can share food because the two fish eat the same food.
Furthermore, female bettas are also less aggressive than male bettas. This will help them live in harmony with the Cherry Barb.
Conclusion
If you are keeping a solitary Betta, a small group of Cherry Barbs will help keep it happy.
Both fish species have similar water requirements, can live in small tanks, and have similar diets.
You must set up the right aquarium to ensure that the Betta won’t attack the Cherry Barbs.
That way, the conflict between Cherry Barb and Betta won’t happen.
