The cherry barb is a small elongated fish with a relatively compressed body. It reaches 5 cm (2 in) in length. The female is fawn-coloured on top with a slight greenish sheen. Its sides and belly have gleaming silver highlights. It may have a rosy tone on its back and upper sides. A horizontal stripe extends from the tip of the snout through the eye to the base of the caudal fin. The male has a reddish colour, becoming very deep red when breeding, and a more slender body shape. The females have two pinkish colour stripes down their sides, also becoming darker when ready to breed.