Tiger Barb

The Tiger Barb is one of the most popular and recognizable aquarium fish, known for its striking pattern of four black vertical stripes on a yellow-orange body with red-tipped fins. Despite their small size (3 inches), they have big personalities and can be fin nippers if not kept properly. Tiger Barbs are active, schooling fish that add energy and movement to the aquarium. They are notorious for nipping the fins of slow-moving or long-finned tankmates, making them unsuitable for peaceful community tanks with delicate fish. However, when kept in large schools of 8+ in appropriate tanks, their nipping behavior is minimized as they focus on each other. They are hardy, easy to care for, and come in various color morphs including albino, green, and GloFish versions.

Care Requirements

Tank Setup

Tiger Barbs need appropriate space:

• Minimum 20 gallons for small school (30+ recommended)
• Long tanks better - they swim actively
• Hang-on-back or canister filter (moderate flow)
• Heater to maintain 74-82°F
• Gravel or sand substrate
• Plants for cover (may nibble)
• Driftwood and rocks for hiding
• Open swimming space

Important: They are very active and need room to swim. Cramped conditions increase aggression.

Water Quality

• Temperature: 74-82°F (23-28°C)
• pH: 6.0-7.5
• Water Hardness: Soft to moderate (5-15 dGH)
• Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm
• Nitrate: <40 ppm

Maintenance:

• Weekly 25% water changes
• Hardy and adaptable
• Tolerate various water conditions
• Good for beginners (with proper tankmates)

Feeding

Tiger Barbs are omnivores:

• High-quality flakes or pellets as staple
• Frozen foods: bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia
• Live foods: occasional treats
• Vegetables: spirulina, blanched vegetables

Feeding Schedule: 2 times daily, small amounts.

Note: They are enthusiastic eaters and compete aggressively for food.

Behavior & Compatibility

Notorious fin nippers:

• Good Tank Mates (if properly sized):

  • Other active barbs (Rosy Barbs, more Tiger Barbs)
  • Fast danios
  • Rainbowfish
  • Corydoras
  • Plecos
  • Serpae Tetras (similar temperament)
  • Fast, robust community fish

• NEVER With:

  • Long-finned fish (angelfish, bettas, guppies)
  • Slow-moving fish (will be harassed)
  • Small shrimp (will be eaten)
  • Delicate fish
  • Goldfish

Key: Keep in large schools (8+) to direct aggression toward each other, not tankmates.

Schooling Behavior

Critical for their behavior:

• Minimum school: 8 individuals (seriously, no less)
• Ideal: 10-12+ for best behavior
• Why large groups: They establish hierarchy, chase each other, leave other fish alone
• Small groups: Will terrorize other fish with constant nipping

Warning: Never keep less than 6 Tiger Barbs. They will destroy other fish’s fins.

Breeding

Easy to breed:

• Egg scatterers
• Spawning: Early morning in plants
• Trigger: Temperature increase to 80°F, water changes
• Parental care: None - eat eggs
• Breeding setup: Fine-leaved plants or spawning mop
• Fry food: Infusoria, then baby brine shrimp

Note: They breed readily. Eggs are adhesive and stick to plants.

Health Considerations

Very hardy fish:

• Ich: Treatable
• Fin rot: From nipping or poor water
• Generally robust: Few health problems

Prevention:

• Maintain good water quality
• Keep in proper school size
• Choose appropriate tankmates

Size Considerations

Small but feisty:

• Adult size: 2.5-3 inches
• Lifespan: 5-7 years

Appearance

Distinctive striped pattern:

• Body: Gold-yellow to silver base color
• Stripes: Four prominent black vertical stripes
• Fins: Red or orange edges, especially dorsal and caudal
• Snout: Often orange-red
• Active swimmers: Constant motion shows off stripes

Color Varieties

• Standard: Yellow-orange with black stripes
• Albino: White-pink body with light stripes
• Green: Greenish body tint
• GloFish: Fluorescent genetically modified versions
• Platinum: Silver-white body

Tank Maintenance

• Weekly 25% water changes
• Filter maintenance
• Remove uneaten food
• Check other fish for fin damage
• Monitor plant health

Tips for Success

• Must keep 8+ individuals - this is critical
• Never house with long-finned or slow fish
• Provide plenty of swimming space
• Hardy and easy to care for
• Very active and entertaining
• Breed easily
• May nibble plants
• Fast eaters - make sure slower tankmates get food
• Good dither fish for shy cichlids (if properly sized)
• Quarantine new fish

Why “Semi-Aggressive”

While not killers:

• Constant fin nipping behavior
• Will harass slow or long-finned fish relentlessly
• Can stress other fish to death
• Need large schools to control behavior
• Not suitable for peaceful community tanks

Good Uses

• Species-only tanks: Beautiful in large groups
• With robust fish: Fast, active community tanks
• Dither fish: For larger cichlids that won’t eat them
• Active tanks: Add constant motion

Bad Matches

• Betta tanks: Will shred betta fins
• Angelfish: Will nip angelfish fins
• Guppy tanks: Will kill guppies through stress and nipping
• Goldfish: Will nip fins and stress them
• Shrimp tanks: Will eat shrimp