Cherry barb compatibility
Every pairing AquariumHQ has assessed for Cherry barb, derived from stored behavioural and environmental traits. Each verdict links to the reasoning behind it — including where the evidence runs out.
The species record is on the Cherry barb page. Any pairing not listed here can be assessed on demand with the compatibility checker.
What decides this species' pairings
Counted across every assessment above — the dimensions that actually raise concerns for this animal, rather than the ones a care sheet would list.
| Dimension | Pairings raising it | Share |
|---|---|---|
| temperature | 37 | 41% |
| predation | 31 | 34% |
| zone competition | 30 | 33% |
| breeding aggression | 27 | 30% |
| ph | 19 | 21% |
| territory | 14 | 16% |
Environmental compromise
Whether a shared temperature, pH and hardness band exists is a necessary condition, not evidence that it suits both animals. This counts how good the overlap actually is.
| Overlap quality | Pairings |
|---|---|
| Workable | 30 |
| Comfortable for both | 30 |
| Forced compromise — neither animal is where it wants to be | 15 |
| No overlap at all | 8 |
| One animal at the edge of its range | 7 |
Every assessed pairing
Grouped by verdict, worst first.
Incompatible (28)
Should not be attempted. At least one factor is expected to cause harm.
- with Bala shark2 concerns
- with Black ghost knifefish2 concerns
- with Blue acara2 concerns
- with Clown knifefish5 concerns
- with Discus4 concerns
- with Electric blue hap5 concerns
- with Electric yellow cichlid4 concerns
- with Firemouth cichlid2 concerns
- with Flavescent peacock3 concerns
- with Frontosa4 concerns
- with Giant gourami4 concerns
- with Goldfish3 concerns
- with Green terror4 concerns
- with Iridescent shark3 concerns
- with Jack Dempsey4 concerns
- with Kissing gourami1 concern
- with Koi carp3 concerns
- with Moonlight gourami3 concerns
- with Oscar4 concerns
- with Pictus catfish2 concerns
- with Red zebra cichlid4 concerns
- with Redtail catfish2 concerns
- with Rope fish2 concerns
- with Senegal bichir2 concerns
- with Severum5 concerns
- with Silver arowana3 concerns
- with Tinfoil barb2 concerns
- with White Cloud Mountain minnow2 concerns
Poor match (9)
Workable only in unusual circumstances. Not a pairing to plan around.
Conditional (15)
Can work, but only if the stated conditions are met.
- with Bloodfin tetra2 concerns
- with Eastern rainbowfish1 concern
- with Firehead tetra2 concerns
- with Guppy1 concern
- with Kribensis1 concern
- with Molly3 concerns
- with Mystery snail1 concern
- with Nerite snail1 concern
- with Pea puffer2 concerns
- with Platy3 concerns
- with Sailfin molly1 concern
- with Siamese fighting fish2 concerns
- with Swordtail3 concerns
- with Yoyo loach1 concern
- with Zebra danio1 concern
Generally compatible (25)
Usually works. Minor points to watch are listed below.
- with Amano shrimp2 concerns
- with Black ruby barb2 concerns
- with Bladder snail1 concern
- with Bleeding heart tetra1 concern
- with Bolivian ram1 concern
- with Cardinal tetra2 concerns
- with Celestial pearl danio2 concerns
- with Cherry shrimp2 concerns
- with Chili rasbora1 concern
- with Clown loach1 concern
- with Ember tetra1 concern
- with Ghost shrimp2 concerns
- with Harlequin rasbora1 concern
- with Indian glassfish1 concern
- with Kuhli loach1 concern
- with Neon tetra2 concerns
- with Panda corydoras1 concern
- with Peacock gudgeon1 concern
- with Red-eye tetra1 concern
- with Rummy-nose tetra1 concern
- with Scissortail rasbora1 concern
- with Serpae tetra1 concern
- with Silver dollar1 concern
- with Skunk loach1 concern
- with Tiger barb1 concern
Compatible (13)
Requirements align and no behavioural conflict is expected.
- with Bristlenose plecono concerns
- with Bronze corydorasno concerns
- with Common plecono concerns
- with Dwarf gouramino concerns
- with Golden wonder killifishno concerns
- with Honey gouramino concerns
- with Otocinclusno concerns
- with Pearl gouramino concerns
- with Pygmy corydorasno concerns
- with Rainbow sharkno concerns
- with Red-tailed black sharkno concerns
- with Siamese algae eaterno concerns
- with Upside-down catfishno concerns
Verdict distribution
| Verdict | Pairings | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Incompatible | 28 | Should not be attempted. At least one factor is expected to cause harm. |
| Generally compatible | 25 | Usually works. Minor points to watch are listed below. |
| Conditional | 15 | Can work, but only if the stated conditions are met. |
| Compatible | 13 | Requirements align and no behavioural conflict is expected. |
| Poor match | 9 | Workable only in unusual circumstances. Not a pairing to plan around. |