Last updated on August 11th, 2022 at 09:36 am
Tiger barb fish (Puntigrus tetrazona) are one of the most popular aquarium species to own, and they’re also one of the easiest to keep healthy. These brightly colored fish are native to freshwater rivers and streams in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand, so they enjoy being in areas with water that runs swiftly over rocky bottoms or boulders.
Puntigrus tetrazona is an active, hardy species that makes an excellent addition to any community aquarium. This schooling fish grows to about 2 inches and requires at least 10 gallons of tank space per fish. The tiger barb thrives in water temperatures between 73° and 82°F but requires soft, slightly acidic water (5-7 dH). It prefers neutral pH levels and can be kept with other peaceful fish that are similar in size and temperament.
Origin and descriptions
The tiger barb fish, also called the tigerfish or Puntigrus tetrazona, is native to South Asia and Southeast Asia. These fish are often bred in captivity as pets in North America and Europe, and they can be very hardy and personable companions if their owners know how to care for them properly and provide the right living conditions.
Before you decide whether you want to keep one of these intriguing species of fish as a pet, you should understand some basics about the tiger barb fish care requirements and this species’ overall personality profile.
Species profile
Tiger barb fish belong to the family of Cyprinidae. This species is native to Southeast Asia, where it inhabits slow-moving waters such as swamps, rice paddies, rivers, canals, and ditches. Tiger barbs are omnivorous scavengers that will eat both plant matter and small invertebrates.
In their natural habitat, they are often found in schools of up to 10 individuals. This schooling behavior is highly beneficial for them because it allows them greater protection from predators. Tiger barb fish have a long lifespan, which may exceed 10 years.
They should be kept in a densely planted aquarium with lots of hiding places and open swimming areas. They prefer warm water temperatures between 75°F and 82°F (24°C – 28°C). They should be fed a variety of foods including flake food, freeze-dried bloodworms, tubifex worms, and brine shrimp.
Scientific name
The scientific name of the Tiger barb fish is Puntigrus tetrazona
Habitat
Tiger barb fish can be found in moderately flowing streams with clear to turbid shallow waters. Their native habitats are in Indonesia, Borneo, and tropical climate zones, and they prefer water with a pH between 6.0 and 8.0, a water hardness between 5 and 19 dGH, and a temperature between 77 and 82°F or 25 to 27.8°C.
The tiger barb fish is a habitat-specific fish that lives in medium to large bodies of water with sand or mud bottoms. They prefer slow-moving currents or still waters. They are rarely found in fast-moving rivers, except for when they enter their fry stage.
Because of their habitat preferences, it’s usually best to house them in aquariums rather than ponds. Pond owners should use specialized devices (e.g., current buffers) to simulate moving water within a pond setting.
Tiger barb fish size
They can grow up to about 2.8-3.9 inches (7-10 cm) in length and 1.2-1.6 inches (3-4 cm) in width. Some have been reported to grow to a maximum size of 5 inches (13 cm) in their natural habitat.
Tiger barb tank size
Due to their size, the minimum recommended tank size is 20 gallons (76 liters), although bigger sizes, such as 30 gallons or more, are better.
Tank requirements
Tiger barb fish are moderately sized fish, growing up to 3.9 inches in length. They require a tank of at least 20 gallons, with a volume of 5-10 gallons per inch of adult fish. Tiger barbs are considered highly active fish that require lots of swimming room—so they must be kept in large tanks with high oxygen levels.
Water should be well-filtered and regularly changed; it’s also important to keep an eye on water quality as tiger barbs are more sensitive than many other tropical species. It is recommended to place them into planted aquariums because they will show their best colors when placed among plants.
Tiger barb fish prefer warm water temperature from 24°C (75°F) to 28°C (82°F). It is not recommended to place them into an unheated aquarium during the wintertime. If your tap water is below 18°C (65°F), use aged or treated tap water forseveral days or purchase commercially available tropical water for use during the wintertime.
Tiger barb tank mates
Although it’s true that many freshwater fish make suitable tank mates for tiger barbs, they can be aggressive towards other types of fish. As such, their ideal tank mates are other tiger barbs and related species such as Silver or java barb (Barbonymus gonionotus), rosy barb (Pethia conchonius), and Zebra Danio (Brachydanio rerio).
Some other tank mates are cherry barb, cory catfish, most types of plecos, clown loach, tinfoil barb, pictus catfish, and neon tetra.
Tiger barb breeding
Tiger barb fish are easy to breed. In fact, they are considered an invasive species because they’re so prolific and easy to spawn. A mature pair should be fed more meaty foods like bloodworms, tubifex worms, or brine shrimp in order to encourage them to produce more eggs than if given regular flake food.
The female will lay up to 2,000 eggs at a time on a flat surface near plants or driftwood. And after fertilization, she will then guard these until they hatch (which takes about 48 hours). The fry can be fed microworms for about two weeks before being moved onto newly hatched brine shrimp nauplii.
They grow quickly and can reach sexual maturity within six months of hatching. If you want to keep your tiger barb population under control, you can remove some of their eggs as soon as they’ve been laid. This will prevent overcrowding and slow down their reproductive cycle. It also means that your fish won’t have to compete with each other for resources.
Tiger barb behavior – Are they aggressive or peaceful?
Tiger barb fish is an extremely active and aggressive fish. They can be kept in a community aquarium with other tiger barbs or other fast-moving, but otherwise peaceful fish species. They have lots of personalities, so consider a species tank if you would like to enjoy their antics alone.
Tiger barb care
While tiger barbs are incredibly attractive fish, they can be a bit of a handful when it comes to their care. It’s important to give them enough space in their tank, as they are quite active swimmers. They also tend to bicker with other species that may be kept with them, so it’s best to keep them by themselves if possible.
When choosing a tank for your tiger barb, opt for one that is at least 20 gallons. The water should be well-filtered, especially if you have live plants in there; these plants will help keep your water clean but will require extra maintenance on your part to do so.
Tiger barbs prefer cooler temperatures—around 72 degrees Fahrenheit—so make sure you have an aquarium heater set up properly before adding any fish to your tank.
Tiger barb fish food
Tiger barbs are omnivores, which means they eat both plant matter and meat. Give them a variety of foods, including pellets, freeze-dried bloodworms, frozen brine shrimp, daphnia, tubifex worms, and prepared fish food. Experiment with different types of food to see what your fish enjoy most. Tiger barbs also will eat any leftover fish food you might have at the bottom of your tank after you feed other species in your aquarium.
Tiger barb fish lifespan
They can live between 5 and 7 years with good care and proper water parameters.
Parasites and diseases
Like many other freshwater fish, tiger barbs can be susceptible to parasites and diseases. Signs of trouble include clamped fins, irregular swimming patterns, and unusual behavior such as not eating or hiding. If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to treat your fish with medication immediately.
Common treatments for parasites include formalin, copper sulfate, and malachite green. Common treatments for bacterial infections are tetracycline, nitrofurazone, and sulfadiazine.
Predators
Puntigrus tetrazona are preyed upon by snakes, large birds such as herons and eagles, and other large carnivorous fish such as Oscars and large cichlids.
Do tiger barb fish make good pets?
Tiger barb fish are not good pets for beginners, but they do make great fish for more experienced hobbyists. This species has very specific water quality needs, so make sure you’re prepared to monitor your aquarium’s parameters on a daily basis.
If you have plenty of time to devote to caring for your tiger barb fish (and if you don’t mind some unusual looks in your tank), then these tropical beauties may be right for you!