Tiger barb, sumatra barb (Puntigrus tetrazona) care guide

Group
Freshwater fish
Other names
Sumatra barb, Sumatran tiger barb, Green tiger barb, Moss barb, Albino tiger barb, Golden tiger barb
Family
Cyprinidae (Smiliogastrinae, barbs)
Origin
Probably endemic to central and southern Sumatra, Indonesia; clear forest streams over sand and rock. Feral populations exist in Singapore, Australia, the USA, Colombia and Suriname.
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
6 cm
Temperature
20–26°C
pH
5–8
Hardness
Soft to hard, 1–20 dGH
Minimum tank
72 litres
Care level
beginner
Temperament
semi_aggressive
Lifespan
About 7 years years

Care

The tiger barb is a lively, boisterous schooling fish with a well-earned reputation for fin-nipping. Most of that behaviour is turned inwards when it is kept in a proper group: aim for at least 8–10 fish, so squabbles are spread around the shoal rather than aimed at tankmates. A tank with a base of at least 80 × 30 cm (around 72 litres) is a sensible minimum, with more room needed for a larger group. It is not fussy about decor. A planted tank with some rocks or driftwood and plenty of open swimming space suits it well, and the colours look best over a darker substrate. In the wild it lives in clear forest streams over sand and rock, so it appreciates well-oxygenated water and some gentle flow. It tolerates a wide range of conditions: about 20–26 °C, pH roughly 5–8 and soft to hard water (1–20 dGH). Wild-type stock prefers the softer, slightly acidic end, but farmed fish adapt readily to most tap water. The wild form has a golden to silvery body with four bold black vertical bars (through the eye, behind the gills, below the dorsal fin and at the tail base) and red on the fins and snout. Males are smaller and slimmer than females and more intensely coloured, with a brighter red snout and fins when in condition; females are deeper-bodied and rounder. Many ornamental strains are sold, including green (moss), albino, golden, platinum, blushing, black marble and coral red forms, and genetically modified fluorescent fish are sold in some countries. Avoid fish that have been artificially dyed or injected with colour, a cruel practice; heavy inbreeding also means some farmed stock is weak or deformed, so choose healthy-looking fish. Almost all fish in the trade are farmed. The species is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. Sources: Seriously Fish (seriouslyfish.com/species/puntigrus-tetrazona/); FishBase (fishbase.se/summary/Puntigrus-tetrazona.html); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tigerbarb). Checked October 2026.

Diet

An omnivore that in the wild eats aquatic invertebrates, plant matter and organic detritus. In the aquarium it takes almost anything: give a good dried flake or granule with some plant content, plus regular small live or frozen foods such as bloodworm, Daphnia and Artemia.

Breeding

An egg-scattering free spawner that shows no parental care and will eat its own eggs. Condition a pair or small group on plenty of live and frozen food, then move them to a separate breeding tank with fine-leaved plants, spawning mops or a mesh over the base so the eggs fall out of reach. Spawning usually happens early in the morning, and a female can lay several hundred adhesive eggs. Remove the adults afterwards. Eggs hatch in 24–48 hours and the fry swim freely about a day later. Feed infusoria-sized foods first, then microworm and newly hatched brine shrimp.

Compatibility and tank mates

Best with robust, fast-moving fish of similar size, such as other active barbs and danios, larger tetras, loaches and sturdy catfish. Do not keep it with slow, timid or long-finned fish such as bettas, angelfish, gouramis or fancy guppies, which will be nipped. Keeping a large group greatly reduces nipping of other species.

Last updated 5 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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