Tiger Barb – Puntigrus tetrazona

Scientific Name: Puntigrus tetrazona
Common Name: Tiger Barb

The Tiger Barb is one of the most recognizable freshwater schooling fish, known for its orange-gold body, four bold black vertical bands, and red-orange fins. Active, hardy, and constantly on the move, Tiger Barbs are an excellent choice for aquarists looking to add energy and strong schooling behavior to a freshwater aquarium.

Native to Sumatra and Borneo in Southeast Asia, Tiger Barbs are highly social fish and should be maintained in groups rather than individually.

Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Active / Semi-Aggressive
Adult Size: Up to approximately 2.75 inches
Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons
Temperature: Approximately 68–79°F
pH: 6.0–8.0
Diet: Omnivore
Recommended Group Size: 6 or more

Recommended Setup: Tiger Barbs appreciate a well-filtered aquarium with open swimming space combined with plants, driftwood, and other structure. Because they are active swimmers, adequate horizontal swimming room is important.

Feed a varied diet of quality flakes or appropriately sized pellets supplemented with frozen or live foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms. In nature, the species consumes worms, small crustaceans, and plant material.

Behavior & Tankmates: Tiger Barbs are active schooling fish with a reputation for fin-nipping, particularly when kept in inadequate numbers or housed with slow-moving, long-finned fish. FishBase specifically recommends keeping them in groups and avoiding long-finned tankmates.

Good tankmates include appropriately sized, active community fish that can comfortably handle the Tiger Barb's energetic behavior. Avoid Bettas, fancy guppies, long-finned angelfish, and other slow-moving fish with extended fins.

Please Note: Size, coloration, pattern intensity, and sex naturally vary between individual fish. Coloration may also become more pronounced as the fish matures and settles into its aquarium.

Available Quantities: Individual fish and discounted group options are available. Because Tiger Barbs are social fish, we recommend keeping them in a group of at least 6 rather than as a single specimen.

All livestock from Felipe’s Fish is carefully selected and prepared for safe transport. Please review our shipping and Live Arrival Guarantee policies before ordering.