Tiger Barb
⚠ Fin-nipper — keep large groups, avoid long-finned tankmates
Overview
The Tiger Barb (Puntigrus tetrazona) is a Freshwater (Tropical) fish growing to about 2.5–3 in and living 5–7 yrs. It's semi-aggressive and best kept in a school of its own kind. Plan a tank of at least 20–30 gal. With a typical lifespan of around 6 years, it's a shorter commitment.
Is the Tiger Barb right for you?
A good match if — you like the look of a moving shoal and can keep a group.
Think twice if — you wanted a peaceful community tank; you only want a single fish.
What a Tiger Barb needs from you
The ongoing work is water quality: filtration, regular water changes and stable parameters. As a tropical fish it needs a stable, heated tank. This is a schooling fish — keep a group, never a lone individual. Don't undersize the tank (minimum about 20–30 gal).
Key facts
- Water type
- Freshwater (Tropical)
- Scientific name
- Puntigrus tetrazona
- Adult size
- 2.5–3 in
- Life span
- 5–7 yrs
- Temperament
- semi-aggressive
- Social needs
- schooling (8+)
- Min. tank
- 20–30 gal
- Care level
- intermediate
- Notes
- ⚠ Fin-nipper — keep large groups, avoid long-finned tankmates
What it needs from you (at a glance)
| Space needed | |
| Experience needed | |
| Maintenance | |
| Time per day | |
| Need for company | |
| Handling / closeness | |
| Cost level |
What it costs
Scaled to this breed’s roughly 10 g and a ~6-year life, keeping a Tiger Barb works out at about:
Rough cross-breed averages in USD — a planning guide, not a quote. Break it down by life phase in the Cost Calculator →
Temperament (at a glance)
| Affection | no data yet |
| Energy | no data yet |
| Vocalness | |
| Trainability | no data yet |
| Tolerates alone | no data yet |