How big does Tiger Barb get?

Tiger Barb reaches an adult standard length of 5–7 cm (excluding the caudal fin). Size the tank for that, not for the juvenile you bring home — the difference is often several times over, and upgrading later costs more than buying once.

What water does Tiger Barb need?

22–28 °C, pH 6–7.5, 2–15 dGH. At 6 °C wide it is one of the more forgiving ranges.

What is the smallest tank for Tiger Barb?

At least 80 L, and no shorter than 80 cm. That is the floor for long-term keeping, not for short-term survival: volume buys water stability and length buys swimming room, and neither substitutes for the other. It is a schooling fish: keep at least 8 together. Fewer than that and it hides, loses colour, and aggression has nowhere to spread.

What is Tiger Barb like to keep?

Temperament: semi-aggressive. Difficulty: beginner. It occupies the middle and is omnivore. With plants it is "Nips new growth".

Can Tiger Barb be kept with its most common tank mate?

The checker returns "Not recommended together". Tiger Barb and Angelfish is a recorded conflict in this atlas. Predation, territorial fighting or conspecific aggression is the usual outcome, and a bigger tank does not change it.

G-01 / 16Freshwater

Tiger Barb虎皮鱼

Puntigrus tetrazona · Cyprinidae

A four-banded barb that is lively in numbers and a dedicated fin nipper when kept few.

Illustration to come

G-01 / 16 · Tiger Barb Puntigrus tetrazona

SpecificationsFish atlas

Name: 虎皮鱼
Scientific name: Puntigrus tetrazona
Family: Cyprinidae
Origin: Southeast Asia (Sumatra, Borneo)
Adult size: 5–7 cm
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Diet: Omnivore
Water level: Middle
Level: Beginner
School size: ≥ 8
Min. tank: 80 L
Min. length: 80 cm
Plant safe: Nips new growth

Water requirementsFreshwater

Temp.22–28 °C

pH6–7.5

Hardness2–15 dGH

Units: temperature in °C, hardness in German degrees (dGH / dKH), marine salinity as specific gravity at 25 °C, volume in litres. These are the values recorded for the species and do not follow the site unit switcher.

Keeping notes

1Keep at least eight; in smaller groups the nipping turns on tankmates.
2Chews the fins and trailing pelvic filaments of angelfish and harasses the long tails of bettas and guppies.
3Nips fine-leaved plants and shoots, so plant only firm-leaved species alongside them.
4Thrives at 22-28 °C in neutral water and is one of the hardiest beginner fish.

Check a tank mate

Jump straight to the verdict for Tiger Barb against this one — no need to pick it again.

Frequently asked questions

How big does Tiger Barb get?: Tiger Barb reaches an adult standard length of 5–7 cm (excluding the caudal fin). Size the tank for that, not for the juvenile you bring home — the difference is often several times over, and upgrading later costs more than buying once.
What water does Tiger Barb need?: 22–28 °C, pH 6–7.5, 2–15 dGH. At 6 °C wide it is one of the more forgiving ranges.
What is the smallest tank for Tiger Barb?: At least 80 L, and no shorter than 80 cm. That is the floor for long-term keeping, not for short-term survival: volume buys water stability and length buys swimming room, and neither substitutes for the other. It is a schooling fish: keep at least 8 together. Fewer than that and it hides, loses colour, and aggression has nowhere to spread.
What is Tiger Barb like to keep?: Temperament: semi-aggressive. Difficulty: beginner. It occupies the middle and is omnivore. With plants it is "Nips new growth".
Can Tiger Barb be kept with its most common tank mate?: The checker returns "Not recommended together". Tiger Barb and Angelfish is a recorded conflict in this atlas. Predation, territorial fighting or conspecific aggression is the usual outcome, and a bigger tank does not change it.