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Howdy folks! This week I’m writing about a fan favorite fish, the tiger barb. Who can resist the stripes or the personality? Many people can’t, that’s for sure.

The tiger barb (Barbus tetrazona, Puntius tetrazona, the other listed scientific names are invalid, I believe) is a Cyprinid from southeast Asia, namely Indonesia, Sumatra, and Borneo. They can be found in rivers with little or no current, hanging out in shoals. They prefer softer, acidic water, at a temperature of around 24 degrees C (75 degrees F) but will be happy in just about any type of water. After all, these are some of the hardiest group fish around. They are somewhat susceptible to Ich though, so regular water changes are a must. Keep these fish in a tank with hardy plants and a couple of other hiding spots, and they will feel safe and secure. Remember, fish are less shy when they have more places to hide, not the other way around. Tiger barbs have been known to occasionally dig at the bottom, so fine gravel and sand are the best substrate choices when keeping these fish.

Tiger barbs are omnivorous, and will eat pretty much anything they are offered. Flake foods are happily accepted, while live, frozen, and freeze-dried treats are quickly devoured. These little guys have big appetites, and will even beg for food! Don’t be fooled though, and overfeed them. That will lead to tank problems. Twice a day is plenty enough.

Tiger barbs grow to about 6.5 centimeters (2.6 inches), and are very active group fish. Their high activity levels combined with their shoaling nature require that they have plenty of room. I suggest keeping these barbs in a tank of no less than 75 liters in size (20 gallons), though more is definitely preferred. They have been successfully housed in small tanks (60 liters and below), but this is not suitable for adult tigers. They really need the room, since they are always busy swimming about the tank. Get them as much space as you can, the fish will appreciate it.

Tiger barbs have an undeserved reputation of being mean fish. While it is true that they will nip at tankmates and each other, they aren’t actually malicious in their intentions. Also, their tendency to nip is reduced if they are kept in large enough groups, and with the right fish. For instance, tiger barbs are less likely to bug other fish when there are plenty of other tigers to interact with. Also, tiger barbs are more likely to nip at fish with long fins, like bettas and angelfish, than fish with shorter fins. Tiger barbs aren’t the best choice for community fish tanks, but they are great when kept by themselves, or with semi-aggressive fish. Tigers are tough, and can hold their own against pushy cichlids and the like. A shoal of tiger barbs is a beautiful thing, and these guys are very active as well. They zoom around their tank in shoaling formation… Truly a sight to behold!

Sexing isn’t too difficult, though it isn’t easy either. Male tiger barbs are a little bit smaller than females, and the males are more brightly colored. Male tiger barbs do fade a bit in color during spawning season though, so don’t let that fool you.

Tiger barbs typically come in three varieties, though more have probably been developed. The most common are your normal tiger barbs, orange and white with black stripes. There is an albino form, which has little or no orange, and faint stripes. There also exists a most striking form, called the green tiger barb, moss barb, forest tiger barb, emerald tiger, etc. It has only faint stripes, and little white. The orange is gone, replaced with a deep green color. These latter two barb varieties have come about through special breeding programs, and are not found in nature. They will usually shoal together though, as they are all the same species of fish.

Some photos:

Normal tiger barbs


A moss tiger


Tiger barbs are great little fish, if you know how to take care of them. They look great, have cool personalities, and are really nice and active. They fill up the middle level of a fish tank, and really add a lot of character. Tiger barbs are often bought by beginners who like the color, but soon find out that they aren’t keeping them right. People often put them in with long finned fish (bettas, gouramis, and angelfish are all popular beginner fish), and quickly find out that they made the wrong choice. This is probably the biggest reason that tiger barbs have the unfortunate stigma of being aggressive, which is not true. Tiger barbs are very tough and fun fish, and are great for anyone with empty tanks. A tank with only tigers is quite stunning indeed.

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Last edited by sirbooks at 14-Jan-2005 07:41

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

Great choice, often reccomend cause they are so hardy and are bought by people who dont know about there nippyness.



==fish1

Great article! Strangely enough I finally broke down yesterday and bought a shoal of 6 tiger barbs to go in my 125 with my balas and clown loaches.

huh, same.

I've got a tank full of 7 tigers, one has been chewed a little so he's in his own cage till he heals.

I have been tempted to get a shoal of these for my 55 communtity tank... I am a little put off because of their reputation of being a bit nippy.

I currently have 3 balloon mollies, 5 guppies (2 male) and a shoal of Harlequin rasboras would tiger barbs be alright with these fish? I also have a pleco and a lonely glass catfish who will be getting a shoal of his own when i can find some around here.

Don

Nah, guppies and tiger barbs don't mix. Guppies have the really fancy tails, which are a great target for tiger barbs.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

u said that tiger barbs will get along with cichlids can you elaborate

ahh, finally took ya long enough books

Males will also develop a red nose when they mature, helping you seperate out the males with the females.

I also have never seen a tiger barb over 2.75 inches

Well written, mr library.

Also, i thought the scientific name was barbus tetrazona?

Last edited by Fallout at 13-Jan-2005 13:54

I agree with tim, I thought that TBs were Barbus tetrazona, I've also seen them as B. tetrazona tetrazona.

Anyway, still a good article, as usual. Great fish that many people will buy and enjoy..

Don't worry, I'll be starting my articles soon books.

I fixed the scientific name, I don't know how that slipped past me.

Tiger barbs can easily survive in tanks with breeding pairs of cichlids, or just plain mean cichlids kept singly. Tigers are tougher than tetras, and probably a little quicker as well. They will live where other fish can't.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."