Product Details

Tiger Barb – Puntigrus tetrazona

The Tiger Barb is a bold, active shoaling fish with orange-gold body colour, strong black vertical bars and plenty of movement. Previously sold under names such as Capoeta tetrazona, Barbus tetrazona and Puntius tetrazona, it is now correctly listed as Puntigrus tetrazona. This is a lively barb with real character, best suited to aquariums where it can be kept in a proper group with robust, fast-moving tank mates.

Key Identification:

Common Name: Tiger Barb
Other Names: Sumatra Barb, Partbelt Barb, Striped Barb, Tiger Fish, Barbus tetrazona, Puntius tetrazona, Capoeta tetrazona
Scientific Name: Puntigrus tetrazona
Older / Trade Names: Capoeta tetrazona, Puntius tetrazona, Barbus tetrazona, Systomus tetrazona
Fish Type: Barb / Cyprinid
Water Type: Freshwater

Natural Range & Habitat:

Wild Tiger Barbs are native to Southeast Asia, especially Sumatra and Borneo. They are tropical freshwater fish found in habitats with plant cover, submerged structure and areas of open swimming space. The species is also bred widely in captivity for the aquarium trade.

In the aquarium, Tiger Barbs do best in mature, well-filtered tanks with open swimming lanes, plants around the edges, smooth décor and good oxygenation. A darker substrate and planted background can help show off their orange colour and black barring.

Appearance & Adult Size:

Tiger Barbs have a deep, laterally compressed body with a warm orange, gold or copper base colour. Four dark vertical bars run across the body, giving the fish its tiger-like appearance. The fins often show red, orange or black edging, with mature males usually developing stronger colour around the nose and fins.

Adults usually reach around 5–7 cm. Females are often fuller-bodied, especially when mature, while males tend to be slimmer and more brightly coloured.

Aquarium Suitability:

This is a great choice for a lively community aquarium, barb display or active Southeast Asian-style setup. Tiger Barbs are hardy and rewarding, but they are not suitable for very quiet or delicate communities. Their natural chasing, displaying and sparring behaviour needs to be managed with space, group size and suitable tank mates.

They are not ideal for tiny aquariums, slow long-finned fish, very shy species, male bettas, fancy guppies, angelfish, delicate gouramis or peaceful nano communities.

Recommended Aquarium Size:

A practical minimum is 120 litres for a proper group, with a tank length of at least 90 cm recommended. Larger aquariums of 150 litres or more are better for bigger shoals and mixed communities.

Tiger Barbs should be kept in a group of at least 8, with 10–12 or more strongly preferred. Small groups are much more likely to nip fins, chase tank mates and focus aggression on weaker individuals.

Water Conditions:

Temperature: 20–26°C
pH: 6.0–8.0
Hardness: Soft to moderately hard
Additional Notes: Keep water clean, stable and well oxygenated. Tiger Barbs are adaptable once settled, but they should not be exposed to poor filtration, high nitrate or sudden water-chemistry changes. They can tolerate a wide range of community conditions, provided the aquarium is mature and consistently maintained.

Temperament & Tank Mates:

Aquarium Category: Semi-Aggressive

Tiger Barbs are active, boisterous shoaling fish. They are not true predators, but they can be nippy if kept in small numbers or housed with unsuitable tank mates. In a large group, most chasing and sparring stays within the shoal.

Suitable tank mates include other active barbs, danios, larger rasboras, robust tetras, rainbowfish, loaches, bristlenose plecs, Cory-type catfish in compatible conditions and other fast-moving community fish that are not delicate or long-finned.

Avoid slow long-finned fish, shy nano species, male bettas, fancy guppies, fancy goldfish, angelfish and very peaceful gouramis. Do not keep singly, in pairs or in tiny groups.

Feeding:

Tiger Barbs are easy-feeding omnivores. Offer quality flakes, small pellets or granules as the staple diet. Supplement with frozen or live foods such as daphnia, brineshrimp, cyclops, mosquito larvae and bloodworm. Vegetable matter such as spirulina flakes, algae-based foods or blanched greens can also be included.

A varied diet supports strong colour, condition and natural activity. Feed small amounts that are eaten quickly, as Tiger Barbs are fast, eager feeders.

Behaviour in the Aquarium:

Tiger Barbs are active midwater fish that spend much of the day swimming, displaying and interacting with the group. Males may spar, flare and chase, especially when mature, but this is normal behaviour when spread across a large shoal. They often use both open water and planted edges, making them highly visible display fish.

They are egg scatterers and do not provide parental care. If breeding occurs in a community aquarium, eggs and fry are usually eaten unless a separate breeding setup is used.

Care Notes:

Add Tiger Barbs only to a mature, fully cycled aquarium. Keep them in a large group, provide open swimming space and choose tank mates carefully. Avoid overcrowding, sharp décor, poor oxygenation and slow long-finned companions. Regular water changes and strong filtration are recommended, especially because active barbs are eager feeders.

This species is hardy, colourful and full of personality, but it should be sold as an active semi-aggressive shoaling barb rather than a gentle community tetra substitute.

Recommended For:

Beginner to intermediate

Availability:

Common / Usually captive-bred

Image Disclaimer:

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Natural variation in size, orange colour, bar thickness, fin colour and markings can occur between individual fish.