The cherry barb was named Puntius titteya by Paules Edward Pieris Deraniyagala in 1929.

The species is commercially important in the aquarium trade and farmed in larger numbers, but it remains threatened by overcollection and habitat loss.

[4] In 2023 Hiranya Sudasinghe, Lukas Rüber and Madhava Meegaskumbura proposed that this species be classified within the new monospecific genus Rohanella.

[6] the cherry barb is the only species in the genus Rohanella, this name honours the Sri Lankan biologist Rohan Pethiyagoda, whofirst recognised that some Sri Lankan barbs formerly classified in the genus Puntius should be reclassified in seaparte genera.

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 color, becoming very deep red when breeding, and a more slender body shape.

The cherry barb's natural habitat is a heavily shaded, shallow, and calm water body.