Tiger Barb care guide
Tiger Barb (Puntigrus tetrazona) — minimum tank 75 L, temperature 22-28 °C, pH 6-7.5. Semi-aggressive middle-water species.
Overview
The Tiger Barb (Puntigrus tetrazona) is an active, boldly striped cyprinid from southern Sumatra, known for its playful but persistent fin-nipping behaviour toward slow-moving tank mates. It is best displayed and best behaved in groups of six or more.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cyprinidae
- Genus: Puntigrus
- Scientific name: Puntigrus tetrazona
- Common synonyms: Sumatra Barb
Habitat
Native to moderately flowing forest streams in the Sumatran river basins of Kampar, Siak, Indragiri, Batanghari, Musi, Tulangbawang and Way Sekampung. Introduced populations are established in Singapore and elsewhere in Southeast Asia. Water is typically slightly soft to moderately hard with neutral to slightly acidic pH.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 75 L (19.8 US gal)
- Adult size: 5-7 cm
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- pH: 6-7.5
- GH: 2-15 °dGH
- Water flow: moderate
- Lifespan: 5-7 years
- School size: ≥6 individuals
Diet
An omnivore that readily consumes prepared foods such as flake and pellets, supplemented with live and frozen foods (daphnia, bloodworms, brine shrimp). The species is also a willing algae grazer.
Compatibility
A semi-aggressive species best kept in groups of at least six, which redirects nipping behaviour within the group. Suitable companions are other robust active species such as Cherry Barb, Clown Loach, Rosy Barb and Denison Barb. Avoid keeping with long-finned slow species such as Betta, Angelfish and Guppy.
Breeding
An egg-scatterer. Females spawn several hundred eggs (commonly around 300, up to 500 per spawning) among plants. Sexual maturity is reached at roughly 6-7 weeks of age and around 2-3 cm body length. Remove the parents after spawning, as they readily consume their own eggs.