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While planning to fill out my shoal of Tiger Barbs once my tank cycles and returns to good health, I have been looking at the various Tiger Barbs: Green/Albino and this thing on my LFS webtsite called a Purple Tiger Barb. Here's the photo they put on their site:

http://www.jackspets.com/freshwaterabb.htm

scroll down for the purple one...

I am wondering if these aren't dyed or not. I have been searching high and low for information on this particular species. The only thing I find that mentions them is usually in an article about dye-ing fish. I don't want any part of supporting that deal.

Does anyone know if this is a naturally occuring morph or what?

Might just be a misnomer for a black ruby barb strain that has leucistic traits , thus looking a bit purple, or possibly a green tiger barb that has been selectively bred for leucistic traits. Basically a kind of semi-albino. Purples are possible, but they will be rare, expensive, and not very distinct, and if there is any black ruby barb in the genes, the purple may only be periodic.

That particular specimen doesnt look bright enough to be dyed, but I wouldnt put it past some scumbag to dye a tigerbarb purple.

Check with the retailer before ordering any fish so labeled. Obviously i'd never encourage anyone to buy a dyed fish.

Check out this link and read under "Notes". It states that Purple Barbs ARE dyed and should not be purchased.
http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/show_article.php?article_id=433
But if the picture of the Purple Barb you are looking at is not the same as the so called "Halloween Barb" then I have nothing else to tell you.

thanks for the feedback.. my son spottted that purple critter... I am going to stay with the greens, albnios and regular tiger barbs... I don't want any part of dyed fish...

Good Work! DONT BUY DIED FISH!!!!!/:'