The Melon Barb (Puntius titteya) is a small, peaceful freshwater fish known for its warm orange to reddish coloration, resembling the hue of a ripe melon. It is an active schooling species, perfect for community aquariums and adding subtle yet vibrant color.
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The Melon Barb (Puntius titteya) is a small, peaceful freshwater fish known for its warm orange to reddish coloration, resembling the hue of a ripe melon. It is an active schooling species, perfect for community aquariums and adding subtle yet vibrant color.
Small, laterally compressed body with a warm orange to reddish coloration. Males display more vivid red-orange hues, particularly during breeding, while females are paler. Adults reach up to 2 inches (5 cm).
4–5 years with proper care
Omnivorous — feeds on high-quality flakes, pellets, and occasional live or frozen foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia.
Melon Barbs are peaceful, colorful, and lively schooling fish. Maintaining proper water conditions, group size, and a balanced diet ensures they thrive and display their vibrant coloration.
Easy — hardy and suitable for beginners.
20 gallons (for a school of 6+)
6.0 to 7.0
5–12 dGH
74–78°F (23–26°C)
2 inches (5 cm)
Compatible with other peaceful, similarly sized fish such as small tetras, danios, and barbs.
Avoid aggressive or very large fish that may intimidate or eat them.
Puntius titteya
Cyprinidae
Sri Lanka
Schooling fish. Best kept in groups of 6 or more to reduce stress and encourage natural behavior.
Feed 2–3 times daily in small portions. Offer a varied diet of flakes, pellets, and occasional live/frozen foods to maintain health and coloration.
Egg scatterer. Spawns over fine-leaved plants or spawning mops. Adults should be removed after spawning to prevent eating eggs.
Provide a separate breeding tank with soft, slightly acidic to neutral water (pH 6.0–7.0, temperature 74–78°F / 23–26°C). Scatter eggs among fine-leaved plants or spawning mops. Eggs hatch in 24–36 hours; fry become free-swimming in 3–4 days. Feed fry infusoria initially, then gradually transition to baby brine shrimp or finely crushed flakes.
pH: 6.0–7.0, Temperature: 74–78°F (23–26°C), Hardness: 5–12 dGH, Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm, Nitrate: <20 ppm.
Prone to ich and fin rot if water quality is poor or kept in insufficient numbers.
Peaceful and social; thrives in schools of 6 or more to encourage natural behavior and reduce stress.
Active, peaceful, and schooling. Prefers mid-level swimming zones. Benefits from groups of 6 or more to reduce stress and encourage natural activity.
Native to Sri Lanka, the Melon Barb is admired for its gentle nature and striking melon-colored body. Males exhibit more intense reddish-orange hues, while females are slightly paler. This species does well in planted aquariums with open swimming areas and moderate water flow. Suitable for beginner aquarists, Melon Barbs are hardy and peaceful schooling fish that integrate well into community tanks.