Fish comparison
Cherry Barb vs Harlequin Rasbora
How the Cherry Barb and Harlequin Rasbora compare on care, size, water and temperament, and which fish suits your tank.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated
TL;DR, Cherry Barb vs Harlequin Rasbora
The Cherry Barb and the Harlequin Rasbora come up together a lot when people are choosing a fish, and they are close enough to weigh side by side. Both are happy somewhere around 23 to 27 °C and pH 6 to 7.5, so a single tank can suit either one. Neither is harder than the other to keep, so the choice comes down to look and stocking rather than skill. Read the full care notes on each below and pick the one whose look and pace fit the tank you're building.
Group compatibility overview
Excellent fit
Every key parameter overlaps and no major conflicts surfaced.
4 notes
Temperature
- Cherry Barb23–27 °C
- Harlequin Rasbora22–28 °C
pH
- Cherry Barb6–7.5
- Harlequin Rasbora5.5–7.5
Hardness
- Cherry Barb2–18 dGH
- Harlequin Rasbora2–12 dGH
What to plan for
- Cherry Barb schools, stock at least 6You've planned for 1 cherry barb. Cherry Barb need a group of at least 6 to feel safe and shoal naturally, below that they're stressed and lose colour. Dial up the count, or remove the species.
- Harlequin Rasbora schools, stock at least 8You've planned for 1 harlequin rasbora. Harlequin Rasbora need a group of at least 8 to feel safe and shoal naturally, below that they're stressed and lose colour. Dial up the count, or remove the species.
- No bottom teamNo bottom-dwelling fish or shrimp. A small group of corydoras or a shrimp colony picks up leftover food and keeps detritus in check.
- 100% of your fish swim in the midHeavy concentration in a single zone. Spreading stocking across all three levels makes the tank read fuller for the same bioload.
Full attributes
Every parameter, side by side| Parameter |  FishCherry BarbPuntius titteya |  FishHarlequin RasboraTrigonostigma heteromorpha |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Fish | Fish |
| Origin | Sri Lanka | Thailand, Malaysia, Sumatra |
| Family | Cyprinidae | Cyprinidae |
| Temperature | 23–27 °C | 22–28 °C |
| pH | 6.0–7.5 | 5.5–7.5 |
| Hardness (dGH) | 2–18 | 2–12 |
| Flow rate | Low to Medium | Low to Medium |
| Min tank | 60 L | 60 L |
| Adult size | 4–5 cm | 4–5 cm |
| Difficulty | 1 / 5 | 1 / 5 |
| Lifespan | 4–7 yrs | 5–8 yrs |
| Diet | Omnivore | Omnivore |
| Water column | Mid | Mid |
| Schooling | Yes (loose shoal) | Yes |
| Plant safe | Yes | Yes |
| Shrimp safe | Mostly (may eat shrimplets) | Mostly (may eat shrimplets) |
Frequently asked questions
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
Can you keep Cherry Barb and Harlequin Rasbora together?
Yes. Their temperature and pH ranges overlap around 23 to 27 °C and pH 6 to 7.5, so one set of water conditions keeps both comfortable. Match group sizes and cover the usual planted-tank basics and they share a tank fine.
Which is easier to keep, the Cherry Barb or the Harlequin Rasbora?
They sit at the same care level, both very easy, so neither is the obvious beginner pick. The decision is really about the look you're after.
Do Cherry Barb and Harlequin Rasbora need the same water?
Close to it. Aim for 23 to 27 °C and pH 6 to 7.5 and you're in the shared sweet spot for both. Full ranges are in the table above.
What's the main difference between the Cherry Barb and the Harlequin Rasbora?
It comes down to look, size and pace rather than one being flatly better. The table above lays the numbers out row by row.