Tiger barb
Puntigrus tetrazona
Bold, fast barbs that nip fins; great in a busy group of ten, a poor match for slow or long-finned fish.
Key facts
- Body length
- 2.2 in without fins
- Minimum tank
- 32 gallons
- Group
- 6+
- Temperament
- Semi-aggressive
- Care level
- 1 / 5
- Lifespan
- 5–7 years
- Diet
- Flakes, pellets, frozen bloodworm, vegetables
- Origin
- Sumatra and Borneo
- Hardier than87%
- Bigger than33%
- Calmer than28%
Water: their range vs yours
Tiger barb tank mates
- Neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black widow tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Bronze coryGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Cardinal tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Cherry barbGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Glowlight tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- KribensisGets along in shared water.Good mates
- MollyGets along in shared water.Good mates
- MultiesGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Peppered coryGets along in shared water.Good mates
- PlatyGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Harlequin rasboraBarbs may harass rasboras.Risky
- Panda corydorasUsually fine; watch for fin nipping.Risky
- OtocinclusTiger barb nips fins; Otocinclus is vulnerable (slow swimmer). Risk is reduced: the group is at least the recommended size.Risky
- Cherry shrimpTiger barb eats dwarf shrimp: Cherry shrimp.Risky
- Amano shrimpTiger barb eats dwarf shrimp: Amano shrimp.Risky
- Blood parrot cichlidTiger barb nips fins; Blood parrot cichlid is vulnerable (slow swimmer). Risk is reduced: the group is at least the recommended size.Risky
- Fancy guppyTiger barbs shred guppy tails.Avoid
- BettaTiger barbs nip betta fins.Avoid
- AngelfishTiger barbs shred angelfish fins.Avoid
- Blue dolphin cichlidBlue dolphin cichlid can eat Tiger barb: prey body depth 2.5 cm ≤ mouth 6.3 cm.Avoid
- Convict cichlidConvict cichlid can eat Tiger barb: prey body depth 2.5 cm ≤ mouth 3.8 cm.Avoid
- DiscusTiger barbs harass slow discus.Avoid
How we check
The numbers the tank model uses for tiger barbs: water as ideal and tolerated ranges, bioload from adult mass, space, flow and how they act on other species.
- Standard length
- 5.5 cm (SL)
- Adult mass
- 2.50 g
- Bioload at 25 °C
- 2.25 BU
- Min. water
- 100 L net
- Min. footprint
- 90 × 30 cm per group
- Group
- 6+ (best 10)
- Swims in
- middle
- Flow
- moderate
- Body / fins
- fusiform, normal fins
- Diet type
- omnivore
- Fin nipper
- notorious
- Sensitive to
- —
Sources: Seriously Fish: Puntigrus tetrazona
Care notes
Tiger barbs are energetic and always on the move. In a big group they chase each other and leave other fish alone more often.
Kept in small numbers, or with slow fish like bettas, angelfish and guppies, they shred fins.
Questions
What size tank does a tiger barb need?
At least 32 gallons (100 litres of water after decor). Adults reach about 2.2 inches without fins.
How many tiger barbs should be kept together?
Keep at least 6, ideally 10 or more: fewer feel exposed and hide or turn nippy.
What water do tiger barbs need?
72–79 °F, pH 6–7.5 and 5–19 dGH. Tiger barbs come from Sumatra and Borneo.
How long do tiger barbs live?
5–7 years with good care.
What fish can live with tiger barbs?
Good tank mates include Neon tetra, Black neon tetra, Black widow tetra, Bronze cory and Cardinal tetra. Each is checked both ways for size, fin nipping, temperament, territory and shared water.