Sexing Cherry Barbs…

Hi guys,

First of all I want to say I know that this sized tank is unsuitable for the fish. I was misinformed by LFS and am working on rehoming them.
For now I’d like some help on sexing them. I was told they were all males however some of them look brighter than others and after looking at pictures online I am unsure. One also seems to be more nervous/hiding than the others.

(I know the pictures aren’t great. I can try again later when they come out if needed)

Thanks!

In other pictures they look a lot more bright…

Hard to tell from the pics, but mature cherry barbs are very easy to sex, males are MUCH brighter red than females.

What size tank are they in? How long has it been set up? Is it cycled?

The tank was cycled for a little over 6 weeks and all levels are good. There are 5 of them in a 30 litre which I’m well aware is no good. I was advised to start with 10 believe it or not. They all seem bright Orange in some lights but brown in other, making it very difficult to tell. I wouldn’t want 1 female being picked on.

Oh no, that's only about 8 US gallons....always be wary of advice from the shop employees, most times, they are clueless to proper fishkeeping.

They may not be mature enough to properly sex, but regardless, I would try to return or rehome them....or get a bigger tank

The first three pictures seem to show all females. Can’t really tell with the fourth picture but if there are any males they’ll be obvious, much redder.

Here are some updated pictures if this makes it clearer for anyone??

Looks like all females in these recent pics, but their colors seem faded.

What are your readings for ammonia, nitrIte, and nitrAte, using a liquid test kit?

If I remember correctly last was 0 ammonia, 0.1 nitrite and around 15 nitrate. My camera is really poor, they definitely look a much brighter Orange in person but certainly not bright red.

Oli said:

If I remember correctly last was 0 ammonia, 0.1 nitrite and around 15 nitrate. My camera is really poor, they definitely look a much brighter Orange in person but certainly not bright red.

Click to expand...

If you have ANY ammonia or nitrIte, the tank isn't cycled, and can cause stress in the fish..one sure sign of stress is faded coloring.

If you don't have the API liquid test kit, you need to get one ASAP, and do your own testing.

The fish will also show a lot, LOT, better in a well planted tank.

These guys as with all Barbs need a heavily planted tank to make them feel at home. They are omnivores and need the plant as part of their diet. I think they are males. Five of these guys in 30 liters is fine as long as you plant the tank to about 50% of its volume.

Hi guys, thanks for the replies!
I’ve heard a lot of different things regarding housing them in a 30 litre. Are they okay if I get real plants? Can I supplement that with different food instead? For now I don’t want to get rid of the biorb with the white decor as it looks amazing on its own. What are people’s opinions on putting a heater in and getting a single male Betta instead? Worried about it getting snagged on the decor and ceramic media at the bottom of the tank?
Thanks guys!

Upload a video of the fish to YouTube and then copy & paste the link here. The video might show better colours so we can sex the fish.

As a general rule the male cherry barb has red and the females will be brown with no red. Females are also fatter than males and have a silver belly.

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No male Betta splendens

Yes you can feed more types of food and all fish do best on a variety of different foods ranging from dry flake food to frozen (but defrosted) and live foods.

Make sure you have a picture on the back of the tank. You can buy them from pet shops or online, or you can use coloured card, a plastic bin liner or anything. Just tape it to the outside of the tank on the back.

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Are the shells and starfish made from plastic or are they calcium based rocks?
If they are plastic then it's fine. However, if they are calcium based they will raise the pH of the water.

You can test them for calcium by taking the ornament out and letting it dry, then pouring some vinegar over the ornament. If it foams and bubbles when you put vinegar on it, then it is calcium based.

I will be sure to do that tomorrow to help sex. I have attached some pics from my gfs phone for better quality. For now I am more concerned about conflicting thoughts on whether or not they are suitable to stay in a 30 litre tank, even if it is just until they grow. I think they look great against the white decor. It is Biorbs own product and I believe it’s plastic but I will do the checks with vinegar tomorrow. Thanks for the replies everyone!