Tiger Barbs are active cyprinids from Southeast Asia, recognisable by the four black bars on a gold body.
They are hardy and energetic but earn an intermediate rating for one reason: their tendency to nip fins.
Kept in a large enough group, they direct that boisterous energy within the shoal rather than at tankmates.
Get the group size or tankmate choice wrong, and they become a persistent problem for slower fish.
Housing
Provide a tank of at least 110 litres (30 gallons) so a proper shoal can establish a pecking order and burn off energy.
Target 22-26C (72-79F), pH 6.0-7.5, and soft to moderately hard water in a fully cycled, well-filtered setup.
They appreciate some current, open swimming space, and planted edges or driftwood for cover.
A secure lid is essential, as active barbs can jump, and good filtration handles their appetite and waste output.
Diet
Tiger Barbs are enthusiastic omnivores that do well on a varied diet.
Offer a quality flake or sinking pellet as the base, rotated with frozen or live bloodworm, daphnia, and brine shrimp, plus some vegetable matter or algae-based food.
Feed small amounts once or twice daily.
Their eagerness at feeding time makes overfeeding easy, so measure portions to what they clear in about two minutes.
A varied diet keeps colour rich and reduces food competition.
Health
Tiger Barbs are generally hardy and suffer mainly from stress-linked disease when understocked, overcrowded, or kept in unstable water.
Ich and fin rot are the common complaints, often appearing after temperature shifts or when nipping injuries become infected.
Maintain stable parameters, quarantine new arrivals, and keep nitrate low with regular water changes.
Watch for clamped fins and white spots, and address persistent in-group bullying, which can weaken a targeted individual.
Temperament
Tiger Barbs are lively, fast, and semi-aggressive, and they nip fins when kept in small groups.
A shoal of eight or more keeps interaction internal and markedly reduces harassment of tankmates.
Do not house them with long-finned or slow fish such as bettas, angelfish, or guppies.
Suitable companions are similarly active, robust species like other barbs, danios, and larger tetras that can hold their own.
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate