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Freshwater   Fishes

Tiger barb
(Puntigrus tetrazona)

Tiger barb

Alternative species (click on the thumbnail to see the card)

Names

Scientific name
Puntigrus tetrazona
Puntius tetrazona
Capoeta tetrazona
barbs tetrazona

Common name
Tiger barb
Sumatra barb

Origin

what are its countries of origin?

Origin: Southeast Asia, Sumatra, Borneo, Indonesia
Biotope: Asian

Dimorphism

what are the physical differences between males and females?

The male has fully red pelvic fins and reddish muzzle

Group

Group

Cyprinidae

Volume

what is the minimum volume for this species?

150 L / 33 imp gal / 39 US gal

Parameters

what is the minimum volume for this species?

T°: 24 à 28°C or 75 to 82°F
pH: 6 to 7
Hardness: 1 to 8°dGH

Difficulty

difficulty

Easy

Size

what is the maximum size of this fish?

5 to 7 cm (2 to 2.8")

Longevity

what is the average Longevity of this fish?

3 to 4 years

Living zone

in which area of the aquarium does this fish live?

Middle

Individuals

sociability of the species

10

Food

How to feed the Tiger barb?

Food

How to feed the Tiger barb?

Omnivorous: all forms of food are accepted with a clear preference for live prey. Pay attention to the quantities distributed because it has an insatiable appetite! You can complete this carnivorous diet with plant benefits.

Behavior

What kind of behavior does the Tiger barb have?

Behavior

What kind of behavior does the Tiger barb have?

The Sumatra Barb has a strong character! It can quickly be very aggressive, especially if it is maintained in small numbers. Like most Barbs, it is very active and dynamic. It has a gregarious instinct and must live in a shoal (make up your group with 1 male for 2 females).

groupe Puntigrus tetrazona

The larger the shoal, the more this fish will become wise with other species. Indeed, the males tend to quarrel and continue between them for the attention of females.

As a result, aggression will remain intraspecific. You will also observe more beautiful colours by keeping the Sumatra Barb in large numbers: it is the rival males who parade in front of the females.

Cohabitation

Who can live with the Tiger barb?

Cohabitation

Who can live with the Tiger barb?

Naturally, with a temper like that of this Barb, not all community aquariums are allowed. We must therefore think about the compatibility of its population before the purchase. For example, do not associate them with slow, fearful or too small fish. Indeed, its stirring and active temperament will disturb the calm fish.

Attention also to the winged fish like the Guppy, Scalar, Gourami or Fighters whose Sumatra Barb will nibble the fins. In a bin biotope, the best choice is to propose the cohabitation with other Cyprinids of identical size or even Crossocheilus and Garras.

In a more general tank, you can associate it with Botias, Rainbow fish, Tetras or even Gastromyzons.

Breeding

How to breed the Tiger barb?

Breeding

How to breed the Tiger barb?

As for most Barbs, its breeding in aquarium is quite possible.

Set aside a special aquarium to ensure a high rate of fry reaching adulthood. Place in this aquarium (15 L / 3 imp gal / 4 US gal) a protective grid at the bottom and garnish with thin-leafed plants such as Java moss for example. Fill it with mature water and aim for a temperature of 26°C or 79°F and a pH of 6.5/7. Possibly add peat extract. Condition the parents by offering them an abundance of live prey.

When the females appear gravid, choose a couple and introduce it into the spawning tank. Males are very aggressive and can even kill non-pregnant females. Therefore, if spawning does not occur within 24 hours, better separate the pair and try again later.

The laying may include up to 500 eggs per female and incubation lasts 36 hours. Fry growth is fast.

Fry food: nauplies of Artemia and Cyclops.

Its aquarium

Which aquarium for the Tiger barb?

Its aquarium

Which aquarium for the Tiger barb?

Its general decoration does not have much impact on it. However, it was observed that it flourished more in aquariums with a dark substrate and a beautiful plantation (robust and solid). Indeed, these elements would appease its quarrelsome temperament.

Sometimes it will search the soil (prefer a non-cutting soil).

For proper maintenance of the Sumatra Barb, choose a powerful filtration and make frequent water changes (polluter).

Good To know

Find all additional information!

Good To know

Find all additional information!

Suitable for beginners, it is not very demanding with the water parameters. Finally, it must especially be clean and this will avoid a lot of problems.

Because of its success in our aquariums, the strains sold are quite weak genetically (consanguinity). This makes it quite susceptible to diseases and malformations.

There is a variety albino, a green ("foam"), a golden and a Steel Blue. Finally, there are colorful varieties (GloFish) that must be avoided: its colours are obtained by suggestive injections and excruciatingly suffer the fish that victim, to eventually shorten its life drastically.

This practice is prohibited and the importation of these specimens also.

Yours photos!

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