Chubby Female Cherry Barb

[micknat]

bought some cherry barbs from my lfs and one of the females is a lot bigger than the rest, is this because shes mature or is she carrying eggs? one of the males is nearing breeding condition i think he is darker than the other males but not deep red yet and what can i feed him on?

 

[wirralbull]

unless youre trying to breed and condition them flake will be fine as a staple add some frozen foods. brine shrimp or bloodworm as a treat. mature females will always be alot plumper than males. they may breed but will devour any eggs they find immediatly so raising any fry in a comunity setting is unlikely

 

[dougie]

I've had 6 female cherry's & one male in my South American (ish) Cichlid tank for nearly 18 months. They were inherited, to save them being flushed! not what I would have ever chosen, but I think they're great! They are busy & cover every inch of the tank. My male is bright red & the females ALWAYS fat
They bother no one & no one bothers them.
They eat anything offered, fun little hardy fish. Enjoy.