Tiger Barb
Puntigrus tetrazona
Family: Cyprinidae • Origin: Southeast Asia
Tiger Barbs are energetic, boldly-striped fish that add constant motion. Keep in large groups to reduce fin-nipping.
Min Tank
20 gal
Max Size
3"
Temperature
74-82°F
pH
6-7.5
Lifespan
6 years
School Size
6+
Swim Level
middle
Hardness
5-15 dGH
semi-aggressivebeginneromnivoreschoolingfin-nipper ⚠️
Care Tips
- • Keep in groups of 8+
- • NEVER with bettas or guppies
- • Fast swimmers — need open space
- • Hardy and tolerant
- • Best in barb-focused community
Feeding: Flakes, pellets, frozen foods. Voracious.
Compatibility Notes: Notorious fin-nipper. Keep in groups of 8+. Avoid all long-finned fish.
Tank Setup & Water Parameters
Tank Requirements
- Minimum Tank Size
- 20 gallons
- Recommended Tank Size
- 30 gallons
- Swimming Level
- middle
- Minimum School Size
- 6+ fish
Water Parameters
- Temperature
- 74–82°F
- pH Range
- 6–7.5
- Hardness (dGH)
- 5–15
- Water Type
- freshwater
Behavior & Temperament
- Temperament
- semi-aggressive
- Aggression Level
- 3/5
- Schooling
- Yes
- Territorial
- No
- Fin Nipper
- Yes ⚠️
- Predatory
- No
- Diet Type
- omnivore
- Growth Rate
- fast
Notorious fin-nipper. Keep in groups of 8+. Avoid all long-finned fish.
Breeding
- Breeding Type
- egg layer
- Breeding Difficulty
- moderate
- Lifespan
- 6 years
Ideal For
20 gallonsemi aggressive community
Compatible Tank Mates
View all →
Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
70-81°FpH 6-710+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.5"
Cardinal Tetra
Paracheirodon axelrodi
73-81°FpH 4.5-6.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2"
Ember Tetra
Hyphessobrycon amandae
73-84°FpH 5.5-75+ gal
peacefulschooling 8+0.8"
Rummy Nose Tetra
Hemigrammus rhodostomus
75-84°FpH 5.5-720+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2.5"
Black Neon Tetra
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
73-81°FpH 5.5-7.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.6"
Serpae Tetra
Hyphessobrycon eques
72-82°FpH 6-7.520+ gal
semi-aggressiveschooling 6+1.75"
Similar Species
Panda Barb
Haludaria fasciata
72-79°FpH 6-710+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2.5"
Serpae Tetra
Hyphessobrycon eques
72-82°FpH 6-7.520+ gal
semi-aggressiveschooling 6+1.75"
Cherry Barb
Puntius titteya
73-81°FpH 6-7.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2"
Rosy Barb
Pethia conchonius
64-77°FpH 6.5-7.520+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+4"