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 or more
- Lifespan
- About 6 years
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.
Tiger Barb care mistakes to avoid
- 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 setup
A forgiving setup with room for a small community.
TankAt least 19 US gal (72 L), 80 x 30 cm
The smallest tank our sources give for Tiger Barb. We list only tanks that hold this volume (allowing 10%, so a standard size counts) and have at least this much floor.
None of the tanks we recommend is big enough for this species yet. See Best 20-Gallon Fish Tank: 20 Long or 29? for what to look for.
Starter kitA kit with the tank, filter and light in one box
We list only kits whose tank fits Tiger Barb, up to twice its minimum volume. A kit whose heater has a fixed setting shows only when that setting is inside Tiger Barb's temperature range.
None of the kits we recommend fits Tiger Barb yet. See Best Aquarium Starter Kit: What to Look For for what to look for.
FilterHang-on-back or large sponge filter
Easy to maintain and strong enough for a community without blasting the fish.
Seachem Tidal 55 Power Filter US
Marineland Penguin PRO 175 Power Filter US
Eheim LiBERTY 130 Hang-on Filter Spain
Seachem Tidal 35 Power Filter Spain
Why we chose these (Best Filter for a 20 to 29-Gallon Tank). Nobody here has used or tested them.
HeaterKeep it at 68–79 °F (20–26 °C)
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.
Aqueon Pro Adjustable Heater 100 W US
Aqueon Submersible Glass Heater 100 W US
Eheim Thermocontrol e 100 Heater Spain
Tetra HT 100 Electronic Heater Spain
Why we chose these (Best Heater for a 20 to 29-Gallon Tank). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Water conditionerDechlorinator 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
Sold at Kiwoko · Sold at Tiendanimal · Sold at zooplus.es · Maker's details
Why we chose these (Best Water Conditioner for Betta Fish). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Test kitLiquid 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
See it at The Shrimp Farm (a retailer; affiliate link) · Sold at Bulk Reef Supply · Maker's details
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.
SubstrateDecor is not critical.
We are still choosing products for this.
Hiding places and decorFloating or overhanging plants and driftwood roots or branches are appreciated.
We are still choosing products for this.
PlantsMostly safe with live plants
Cycle the tank before adding animals. See our guide on how to cycle a fish tank.
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.
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.
Tiger Barb facts and sources
- 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
Sources
- Seriously Fish: Tank size, water ranges and behavior
- FishBase: Cross-check of water ranges and size
Lifespans are approximate and come from aquarium care guides, because these databases rarely publish them.
Where sources differ, we show the Seriously Fish aquarium figures.
Spotted something wrong? Report a parameter correction. For a sick fish, see our veterinary disclaimer.