Tiger barb

Puntigrus tetrazona

FishFreshwater

Care level: Easy
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Minimum tank: 100 L
Maximum size: 7 cm
Temperature: 22–27 °C
pH: 6–7.5
Group size: ≥ 8
Diet: Omnivore

Care at a glance

The tiger barb is a cheeky, constantly moving barb that catches the eye at once with its orange fins and four black bands. It has a reputation as a fin nipper, and it is deserved — but the behaviour depends heavily on group size. In a decent school they take it out on each other; with just a handful, the rest of the tank becomes the target.

So never combine it with long-finned or slow-moving fish, and choose tankmates that can hold their own. Beyond that it is a rewarding, hardy fish that asks little of the water and greedily eats whatever you offer. Open swimming space along the full length matters more than a densely planted layout.