Tiger Barb
The standard tiger barb, gold-bodied with four bold black bands and red-tipped fins. Fast, bold and a genuine handful in the wrong community.
Feeding
Flake, pellets and frozen foods. An aggressive, competitive feeder.
Compatibility
A determined fin-nipper. Keep in groups of ten or more so the behaviour stays within the shoal. Never house with angelfish, gouramis, bettas, guppies or any slow long-finned species.
Behaviour and personality
Constantly active and constantly jostling within the group. Entertaining in a large shoal, a problem in a small one.
Before you buy
The nipping is not a myth. Ten or more, with fast robust tankmates, or don’t keep them.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Species | Tiger Barb |
| Body Color | Gold with black bands and red-tipped fins |
| Group Size | 10 or more |
| Feeding Type | Flake, pellets, frozen foods |
| Compatible With | Fast, robust tankmates only |
| Not Compatible With | Angelfish, gouramis, bettas, guppies, slow long-finned species |
FAQ
What kind of tankmates are suitable for tiger barbs?
Tiger barbs should be kept with fast, robust tankmates. Avoid slow-moving or long-finned species such as angelfish, gouramis, bettas, and guppies.
How many tiger barbs should I keep?
Keep at least ten tiger barbs together to reduce aggressive behavior and promote natural shoaling.
Are tiger barbs aggressive?
Yes, tiger barbs are aggressive and competitive, especially when kept in small groups. They are known to nip fins, so proper group size and tankmates are essential.
Amelia Graham –
I kept ten tiger barbs in a 55-gallon tank with neon tetras and danios. They were active and colorful, but I had to remove a slow-moving guppy that was nipped. Now I keep them only with fast-moving fish. Great for a large community tank.
Julian Grant –
The fish arrived healthy and look vibrant. I kept them in a group of ten with other active fish. They swim constantly and add energy to the tank. Just make sure you don’t mix them with long-finned species.
Frank Bailey –
I tried keeping just five of them, and it quickly became stressful. They started nipping at each other and a betta got injured. I now keep them in a group of ten with robust, fast fish. Works well with proper setup.