🐟 Tiger Barb Puntigrus tetrazona

The Tiger Barb (Puntigrus tetrazona) is a easy-care, semi-aggressive species from Sumatra and Borneo. Adults reach roughly 2.8", so plan on a minimum tank of 20 gallons. Keep the water between 74–82°F with a pH of 6–8. This is a schooling fish — keep a group of at least 8 so it feels secure and colors up. It tends to nip fins, so avoid slow, long-finned tankmates. As an omnivore, it does best on a varied diet appropriate to its feeding style.

At a glance

Good tankmates for Tiger Barb

Neon TetraCardinal TetraRummynose TetraBlack Skirt TetraSerpae TetraEndler's LivebearerPlatyMollySwordtailDiscusGerman Blue RamBolivian RamKribensisZebra DanioHarlequin RasboraCherry BarbRosy BarbBronze CoryPanda CoryOtocinclusBristlenose PlecoKuhli LoachAmano ShrimpMystery SnailMarble HatchetfishBlack Neon TetraLemon TetraGlowlight TetraBloodfin TetraDiamond TetraBuenos Aires TetraEmperor TetraSilver Tip TetraX-Ray TetraLambchop RasboraScissortail RasboraPearl DanioGiant DanioGlowlight DanioGold BarbOdessa BarbDenison BarbCheckerboard BarbFive-Banded BarbBoesemani RainbowfishNeon Dwarf RainbowfishMadagascar RainbowfishCelebes RainbowfishHoney GouramiSparkling GouramiChocolate GouramiKeyhole CichlidFiremouth CichlidElectric Blue AcaraBlue AcaraRainbow CichlidYellow Lab CichlidAcei CichlidPeacock CichlidMultifasciatusJulidochromisPygmy CorySterbai CoryJulii CoryGlass CatfishUpside-Down CatfishYoyo LoachZebra LoachHillstream LoachRubber Lip PlecoClown PlecoSiamese Algae EaterRainbow SharkFlying FoxLeast KillifishGhost ShrimpBamboo ShrimpRabbit SnailGold TetraPenguin TetraRed Eye TetraFlame TetraColombian TetraSilver DollarEmerald Eye RasboraLeopard DanioGold Ring DanioRuby BarbMelon BarbTurquoise RainbowfishRed RainbowfishLicorice GouramiCroaking GouramiStrawberry BettaGolden RamFlag AcaraFestivum CichlidYellow Dwarf CichlidElectric Yellow CichlidShell-DwellerEmerald CoryAlbino CoryThree-Striped CoryAdolfo's CoryHabrosus CoryZebra OtoDwarf Chain LoachLeopard Frog Pleco (L134)Zebra Pleco (L046)Vampire ShrimpRed Claw CrabClown KillifishRed SwordtailBalloon MollyAmerican FlagfishIndian Glassfish

Avoid these tankmates

AngelfishOscarWhite Cloud MinnowJack DempseyGreen TerrorTexas CichlidFrontosaChinese Algae EaterBlack Ghost KnifefishRopefishSenegal BichirCommon GoldfishRosy Red MinnowBucktooth TetraBanjar Red CichlidSalvini CichlidMidas CichlidFlowerhornVenustus CichlidLivingstonii CichlidCompressed CichlidCalvus Cichlid

See the full tankmate guide for Tiger Barb →