Puntigrus tetrazona
Iconic black-on-orange community fish, but only if you respect the bite. In groups under six they bully each other and any long-finned tank mate; in groups of 8–10+ they school internally and leave others alone. Never house with bettas, angels, or guppies, fins disappear within days.
Tiger Barb (Puntigrus tetrazona) reaches 5–7 cm as an adult and needs a minimum tank of 100 L. Native to Sumatra, Borneo (Southeast Asia), it lives in the mid water column with a semi-aggressive (notorious fin-nipper) temperament. Aim for 22–27 °C, pH 6.0–7.5, and 5–19 dGH hardness. Lifespan is 5–7 years with good care. Keep tiger barb in groups of 8+, yes schoolers need numbers to display natural behaviour. Diet: omnivore, Flake, pellets, frozen daphnia, bloodworms. Hearty appetite. Plant-safe: Mostly (may nip soft stems). Shrimp-safe: No (will hunt).
Care at a glance
Iconic black-on-orange community fish, but only if you respect the bite. In groups under six they bully each other and any long-finned tank mate; in groups of 8–10+ they school internally and leave others alone. Never house with bettas, angels, or guppies, fins disappear within days.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated 1 min read
Part of our complete guide to aquarium fish for the planted tank.
The parameters that decide whether tiger barb fits in your tank.
Mid
Yes
Group of 8+
Cyprinidae
Omnivore
Flake, pellets, frozen daphnia, bloodworms. Hearty appetite.
5–7 yrs
Medium
Clear forest streams of Sumatra and Borneo
Sumatra, Borneo (Southeast Asia)
Tank-mate safety and the species this one is documented to thrive (or fail) alongside.
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
Tiger Barb (Puntigrus tetrazona) needs a minimum tank of 100 L. They live in the mid water column and should be kept in groups of 8+, so a longer footprint matters more than depth.
Target 22–27 °C, pH 6.0–7.5, and 5–19 dGH hardness. Acclimate slowly when moving them between water sources.
Shrimp safety: No (will hunt). Plant safety: Mostly (may nip soft stems).
Tiger Barb are omnivore. Flake, pellets, frozen daphnia, bloodworms. Hearty appetite.
On Fin & Stem's 1–5 difficulty scale this species rates 2/5. Forgiving, beginner-friendly once the tank is cycled. Breeding difficulty: medium.
Typical lifespan in a well-maintained tank is 5–7 years.
A planted tank is a system. Pair this fish with one entry from each other pillar to plan the whole scape.
