Tiger barb
Art Freshwater fish Puntigrus tetrazona
Written with AI assistance, not yet checked by a person. Treat the details as a starting point and confirm important decisions with a vet or a breeder.
Overview
A fast, boisterous schooling fish of about 6-7 cm with four black bands. Keep at least 6, better 8-10, in a tank of 80 L or more. Known for nipping the fins of slow or long-finned fish such as bettas, guppies and angelfish; best with other quick, robust fish.
Native to Sumatra and Borneo. A classic aquarium fish for decades; green (moss) and albino colour forms are also bred.
- Purchase price
- Pet quality €1.5–4
- Care difficulty
- Beginner
- Long, flowing fins
- Nej
- Adult body length
- 6–7 cm
- Good with other pets
- Activity pattern
- Diurnal
- Temperament
- Lively and always on the move; members of the group chase each other, which keeps them busy with their own kind. Kept in too small a group they turn on other fish. Breeding: scatters eggs among plants and eats them afterwards.
- Temperament
- Semi aggressive
- Schooling fish
- Ja
- Nips the fins of other fish
- Ja
- Keep only one per tank
- Nej
Health and common problems
These are common issues for this animal, not a diagnosis. If you are worried about your animal, see a vet.
Columnaris (cotton-wool disease)
Frequency: Uncommon Serious
A bacterial infection that causes white or grey patches on the mouth, skin and gills. It spreads fast in warm water with poor quality and is often confused with fungus.
- Signs to look for
- Fluffy or greyish patches, a white rim around the mouth, a pale band on the back (saddleback), frayed fins, fast breathing.
- When to see a vet
- Quickly, because it can kill within days; antibiotic treatment should be chosen with professional advice.
- First aid
- Do a partial water change, lower the temperature a little within the fish's range and isolate affected fish if possible.
Fin rot
Frequency: Uncommon Mild
Bacteria eat the edges of the fins, usually after poor water quality, injury or stress.
- Signs to look for
- Ragged, shortened or whitish fin edges, red edges at the base.
- How to handle it
- Correct the water first; most mild cases heal. Use medication only if it spreads.
- Prevention
- Keep the water clean with weekly partial changes and avoid fin-nipping tankmates.
- When to see a vet
- If the rot reaches the body or does not improve after the water is corrected.
- First aid
- Test the water and do a partial water change. Keep the tank clean.
Ammonia and nitrite poisoning
Frequency: Common Akut
Fish waste turns into ammonia and nitrite, which are toxic. In a new tank that is not cycled yet, an overstocked tank, or after the filter bacteria are destroyed, levels rise fast. This is the most common cause of death of new aquarium fish.
- Signs to look for
- Gasping at the surface, red or dark gills, lethargy, clamped fins, sudden deaths, cloudy water.
- Prevention
- Cycle the tank for 4-6 weeks before adding fish, add fish gradually, do not overfeed and test the water weekly.
- When to see a vet
- If fish keep dying after the water tests are normal again. Prevention is cycling the tank for several weeks before adding fish.
- First aid
- Test the water at once, do a large water change (with conditioned water at the same temperature), stop feeding for a day and do not clean the filter in tap water.
Ich (white spot disease)
Frequency: Common Måttlig
A common parasite of aquarium fish that shows as small white dots. It spreads fast in a tank and is worse after stress or cold shocks.
- Signs to look for
- White dots on skin and fins, rubbing on objects, clamped fins, fast breathing.
- How to handle it
- Treat the whole tank with an ich product made for aquariums, following the label; remove activated carbon from the filter during treatment.
- Prevention
- Quarantine new fish for 2-4 weeks and avoid sudden temperature drops.
- When to see a vet
- If fish keep dying, or you are not sure which disease it is.
- First aid
- Raise the temperature slowly within what your fish tolerate and follow the instructions of an ich treatment made for aquariums.
Care and maintenance
-
25 % water change
every week
Siphon about 25 % of the water from the bottom and refill with conditioned tap water at the same temperature.
-
Test the water
every week
Check ammonia, nitrite and nitrate (and pH); act on any ammonia or nitrite reading.
-
Rinse the filter sponge
every month
Squeeze the sponge in a bucket of old tank water, never under the tap: tap water kills the useful bacteria. Replace media only in parts.
-
Count the fish and check the temperature
every day
At feeding time count the fish, look for clamped fins, spots or heavy breathing, and read the thermometer. Remove uneaten food after a few minutes.
-
Clean the glass and trim plants
every 2 weeks
Wipe algae from the front glass and remove dead leaves.
Logga in to add these tasks to your reminders for your Tiger barb.
What it costs
This is an estimate, not a quote. It multiplies typical amounts by typical prices in Serbien. Your real costs depend on the shops, the vet and the animal. Change the assumptions below to match your situation.
Who it gets along with
Worked out from the traits of this animal. Individual animals differ, and introductions should always be slow and supervised.
Be careful with
-
Cats
Based on the typical temperament of Tiger barb (2/5). -
Dogs
Based on the typical temperament of Tiger barb (2/5). -
Small pets
Based on the typical temperament of Tiger barb (2/5). -
Birds
Based on the typical temperament of Tiger barb (2/5). -
Fish
Based on the typical temperament of Tiger barb (2/5).
Not enough information about: children, seniors, strangers.
Notable cases
- Tiger barb (Good with): Belongs in a group of its own kind (6 or more); the chasing within the group is normal and keeps them away from other fish.
Set-up and food
- Minimum group size
- 6 animals
- Water temperature
- 20–26 °C
- pH
- 6–8
- General hardness (GH)
- 5–15 dGH
- Minimum tank size
- Group of 6 or more 80 l
- Swimming level
- Mid
- Needs live plants
- Nej
- Water flow
- Moderate
- Diet type
- Omnivore
Tiger barb group, 100 L
100 L About €220 (estimate)
A 100 L tank with open swimming space, plants along the back, a filter with some current and a heater; for 8-10 tiger barbs, optionally with robust bottom fish.
- Aquarium tank – 100 L
- Aquarium filter
- Aquarium heater – 100 W
- Aquarium thermometer
- Aquarium lid
- Aquarium light
- 8 × Live plants
- Water conditioner
- Water test kit
Equipment
Required
-
Aquarium filter
Keeps the water clean and moving and holds the useful bacteria; sized to the tank. Cycle the tank with the filter running for 4-6 weeks before adding fish. -
Aquarium heater
Holds the water at the right temperature; a thermostat model is the norm. -
Aquarium lid
Stops fish that jump and slows evaporation. -
Aquarium tank
at least 80 L
Glass or acrylic tank on a stand that carries the full weight (about 1 kg per litre). -
Aquarium thermometer
Checks that the heater works; read it daily. -
Water conditioner
Removes chlorine and chloramine so tap water is safe for fish. -
Water test kit
Drop tests or strips for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH and hardness. Ammonia, nitrite and nitrate; daily during cycling, weekly afterwards.
Recommended
-
Aquarium light
LED lighting on a timer, about 8 hours a day; stronger light is needed for demanding plants. -
Gravel siphon and bucket
For water changes and cleaning the substrate; keep the bucket only for the aquarium. -
Live plants
Use up waste, give cover and calm shy fish; easy species need no extra fertiliser.
Mat
- Micro pellets / granules
- Frozen bloodworms – 2-3 times a week.
- Flake food – 1-2 times a day.
- Spirulina or vegetable flakes – A few times a week.
Breeding
- Breeding type
- Egg scatterer
Breeding is a big responsibility. Many animals in shelters are waiting for a home; ask a vet and a breeders association before you plan a litter.
Juridik
Check your local law. Rules about keeping, importing and selling animals differ between countries and regions and change often. What is written here may be out of date; ask your local authority before you buy or adopt.
No specific legal rules are recorded for this animal.
General information, not veterinary advice. Every animal is an individual. Typical values and costs are estimates. Talk to a vet, a breeder or a shelter before you decide, and see a vet if your animal is unwell.