Moderate

Tiger Barb

By The Aquarium Calculators Editorial Team ·

Puntigrus tetrazona

Complete Tiger Barb care guide covering omnivore diet requirements, semi-aggressive temperament, minimum 20 Gallons tank setup, and compatible freshwater tankmates. Difficulty: Moderate.

Tiger Barb

Quick Answer

Tiger Barb (Puntigrus tetrazona) is a captivating and highly sought-after freshwater species. It requires a minimum 20 Gallons aquarium with a pH of 6.5 - 7.5 and temperature range of 22-26°C. As a omnivore with semi-aggressive tendencies, careful tankmate selection is essential.

Intro

Tiger Barb (Puntigrus tetrazona) is a captivating and highly sought-after freshwater species. Known for their semi-aggressive nature and distinct appearance, they occupy the middle levels of the aquarium and bring dynamic energy to any setup.

Setup

Tiger Barb requires a stable, well-filtered aquarium of at least 20 gallons. They thrive best with moderate water movement and a reliable heater to maintain temperatures around 22-26°C. Ensure pH levels remain consistent between 6.5 - 7.5 to prevent stress and support long-term health.

Feeding

As a omnivore, the Tiger Barb is not a picky eater. They should be fed a high-quality base of flakes, sinking pellets, or wafers. Periodic supplementation with frozen or live foods, such as bloodworms or brine shrimp, will boost their health and colors.

Compatibility

Tiger Barb has a semi-aggressive temperament. They are schooling fish and MUST be kept in a group of at least 6 individuals to exhibit natural schooling behavior and reduce stress. Avoid placing them with aggressive species or tankmates they are listed as incompatible with, such as: betta, angelfish, guppy, discus, honey gourami, pearl gourami.

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Tank Position
Middle
Water Temp
22-26°C
Adult Size
See profile
Water pH
6.5 - 7.5

Species Characteristics

Adult Size
Lifespan
Growth Rate
moderate
Tank Compatibility
Community compatible
Indoor Aquarium
Yes

Water Parameters

Water Temperature
Humidity
Water pH

Tank Lighting

Tank Lighting
Standard lighting
Light Hours
N/A
Intensity
moderate

Feeding & Diet

Diet Type
Diet: Omnivore
Feeding Schedule
N/A
Live Food Options
N/A

Continue Learning

Recommended Tools

Fish Compatibility Calculator fish compatibility

Health & Disease

Ich (White Spot Disease) common disease • all fish

Related Guides

Understanding pH in Aquariums water parameters • ph

Similar Species

African Leaf Fish Care Guide: Diet & Tank Mates semanticSimilarity Angelfish Care Guide: Tank Size & Diet | The Aquarium Calculators semanticSimilarity Badis Care Guide: Tank Size & Compatibility semanticSimilarity

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Tiger Barbs should be kept together?
Maintain a minimum school of 8 to 12 individuals in a tank of at least 30 gallons (113 liters) with a footprint of 36x12 inches (90x30 cm). Tiger barbs (Puntigrus tetrazona) are notorious fin-nippers when kept in groups under 8. A school of 15+ reduces intra-species aggression and displays their best orange-black stripes. Maintain a 1 male to 2-3 female ratio. Provide open swimming lanes and dense plant borders. Avoid long-finned tank mates (angelfish, bettas, guppies). Tank length must exceed 30 inches (75 cm).
What are the exact water parameters for Tiger Barbs?
Target pH 6.5 - 7.5, General Hardness 5 - 15 dGH, Carbonate Hardness 4 - 12 dKH, Total Dissolved Solids 120 - 350 ppm, Electrical Conductivity 250 - 700 μS/cm, and temperature 72°F - 80°F (22°C - 27°C). They are hardy and adaptable but require stable parameters. Maintain nitrates below 20 ppm with weekly 25% water changes. Use a canister or HOB filter with moderate flow. Provide smooth gravel or sand. Hardness below 4 dGH causes clamped fins.
What is the dietary and medication protocol for Tiger Barbs?
They are omnivores requiring 40% protein, 10% fat, 50% plant matter. Feed high-quality flakes, cichlid granules, freeze-dried tubifex, and frozen brine shrimp twice daily. Offer spirulina flakes and blanched spinach weekly. Medication alert: Tolerate copper (0.2 mg/L) and formalin. Praziquantel is safe. Salt baths up to 5 ppt treat external parasites. Quarantine with methylene blue for 7 days. They are hardy but can carry camallanus worms; treat with levamisole.
How to breed Tiger Barbs in captivity?
Select 10-12 mature fish (1 male:2 female) and condition with live blackworms and brine shrimp for 2 weeks. Set up a 20-gallon (75 liter) breeding tank with 5 inches (12 cm) of water (pH 6.8, dGH 6, 75°F/24°C), a spawning mop, and fine-leaf plants. Spawning occurs at dawn; female releases 200-300 adhesive eggs. Remove parents after 4 hours (they eat eggs). Eggs hatch in 24-36 hours at 72°F (22°C). Fry feed on infusoria for 3 days, then microworms, then baby brine shrimp after day 7.

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