Tiger Barb
Puntigrus tetrazona
Also known as Sumatra Barb
Edited by Ivan F. · Reviewed
Beginner verdict
A bold, striped, always-busy barb with a reputation for biting fins, mostly when kept in small groups or cramped tanks. In a big group and a long tank it turns its energy on itself. It suits robust fish and is a poor match for slow or long-finned species.
Care at a glance
- Min tank size
- 19 US gal
- Footprint
- 31 x 12 in
- Temperature
- 68–79 °F
- pH
- 5–8
- Hardness
- 1–20 dGH
- Swim zone
- Mid-Water
- Min group
- 8 fish
- Lifespan
- About 6 years
Tiger Barb care mistakes to avoid
The mistakes beginners most often make with this species.
- Do not buy just one or two. Keep at least 8 fish so they feel secure.
- Never mix it with long-finned or slow fish such as bettas, guppies or gouramis.
- A small group is the main cause of nipping, so buy a large school.
- Give it a long tank. Tight spaces make its chasing and nipping far worse.
- Check your tank before you buy. Our sourced minimum is 19 US gallons.
Tiger Barb tank mates and swim zone
Mid-Water
Spends most of its time in this part of the tank.
Corydoras aeneus
Corydoras paleatus
Corydoras panda
Corydoras aeneus (albino)
Pangio kuhlii
Sewellia lineolata
Xiphophorus maculatus
Tiger Barb is a boisterous fin nipper and a poor match for slower fish like Platy. Only try this with a large group in a long tank.
Xiphophorus hellerii
Tiger Barb is a boisterous fin nipper and a poor match for slower fish like Swordtail. Only try this with a large group in a long tank.
Poecilia sphenops
Tiger Barb is a boisterous fin nipper and a poor match for slower fish like Molly. Only try this with a large group in a long tank.
Mikrogeophagus altispinosus
Tiger Barb is a boisterous fin nipper and a poor match for slower fish like Bolivian Ram. Only try this with a large group in a long tank.
Hyphessobrycon amandae
Too boisterous. Embers do not compete well with fast, nippy tank mates and will hide.
Boraras brigittae
Tiger Barb is fast and nippy and will bully a timid little fish like Chili Rasbora.
Danio margaritatus
Tiger Barb is fast and nippy and will bully a timid little fish like Celestial Pearl Danio.
Poecilia reticulata
Tiger Barb is a known fin nipper and will shred the long, flowing fins of Fancy Guppy.
Poecilia wingei
Tiger Barb is fast and nippy and will bully a timid little fish like Endler's Livebearer.
Tiger Barb feeding and care
How to feed
- Feed flakes or pellets twice a day in small portions.
- Add frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp and some vegetable matter.
- Feed small portions you can see finished within a couple of minutes, because overfeeding fouls the water fast.
Telling males from females
Adult males tend to be smaller and slimmer, with a more intense color pattern and a red nose when in condition.
Plants that suit it
Species facts
- Family
- Cyprinidae
- Native to
- Sumatra and Borneo
- Adult size
- 2.4 in (6 cm)
- Temperament
- Semi-Aggressive
- Social needs
- Schooling/Shoaling (6+)
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Water flow
- Moderate
- Substrate
- Any
- Live plants
- Mostly Safe
- Shrimp
- Will Eat Shrimp
- Fin nipping
- High
- Vulnerable to nippers
- No
- Breeding
- Easy Egg-Scatterer
Tiger Barb FAQ
What size tank do Tiger Barbs need?
Our sourced minimum is 19 US gallons (72 liters), with a footprint of 80 x 30 cm. A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable.
How many Tiger Barbs should I keep?
Keep at least 8 fish. Bigger groups usually look better and behave more confidently.
What can live with Tiger Barbs?
Good matches on our list include Bronze Corydoras, Peppered Corydoras and Panda Corydoras. Avoid Ember Tetra and Chili Rasbora.
How long do Tiger Barbs live?
Care guides report about 6 years. Stable water and a good diet make the biggest difference.
Why do tiger barbs chase each other?
It is normal hierarchy behavior in a healthy group. A large school spreads that energy around and keeps them from bothering other fish.
Where to buy Tiger Barb
We have not found a store that sells Tiger Barb under its scientific name yet. We add stores as we confirm them.
Live animals and plants travel by courier. Check the store's live-arrival guarantee, and only buy once your tank has cycled (see how to cycle a fish tank).
Some US states restrict certain species. Check our US state aquarium rules table and your state's own rules before you buy.
Complete the tank
A forgiving setup with room for a small community.
Tank size for this species
At least 19 US gallons (72 L), 80 x 30 cm footprint
Filter
Hang-on-back or large sponge filter
Easy to maintain and strong enough for a community without blasting the fish.
We are still choosing products for this.
Heater
Adjustable heater, about 5 W per gallon: 100 W at 20 gallons, about 150 W at 29
Enough power to hold a stable temperature in most homes. Size up for a cold room.
We are still choosing products for this.
Water Conditioner
Dechlorinator such as Seachem Prime
Tap water contains chlorine or chloramine that harms fish.
Seachem Prime US
Fritz Complete Water Conditioner US
API Betta Water Conditioner US
sera aquatan Spain
Tetra AquaSafe Spain
Maker's page · Sold at Kiwoko · Sold at Tiendanimal · Sold at zooplus.es
Why we chose these (Best Water Conditioner for Betta Fish). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Test Kit
Liquid kit such as API Freshwater Master
Tracks ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH while the tank cycles.
API Freshwater Master Test Kit US
API General & Carbonate Hardness Test Kit US
Maker's page · Sold at The Shrimp Farm · Sold at Bulk Reef Supply
sera aqua-test box (Cl) Spain
JBL PROAQUATEST COMBISET Plus NH4 Spain
Why we chose these (Best Test Kit for a Freshwater Aquarium). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Cycle the tank before adding animals. See our guide on how to cycle a fish tank.