Best for
Aquariums where its role fits: schooling midwater.
T
Fish · Freshwater
Tiger barb
Puntigrus tetrazona
The tiger barb is active, colorful and highly social, but its energy can become harassment if the group is too small or tankmates are slow. Its main risk is fin nipping.
It works best in large schools, aquariums with swimming space and robust tankmates without long fins.
Difficulty
Intermediate
Aggression
7/10
Schooling
Yes
Size
6.00 cm
Minimum volume
80 L
Temperature
22.0-27.0 ºC
Zone
Midwater
Lifespan
5 years
Quick profile scan
fish
Territoriality
Medium
Aggression
7/10
Activity
Fast
Thermal sensitivity
Medium
Bioload
Medium
Speed
Fast
Predation risk
None
Expert calculator
Check whether this species fits your aquarium
Analyze volume, parameters, behavior and relationships with other species.
Expert read
Quick verdict
A practical summary to quickly decide whether it fits your aquarium.
Avoid
Mixes marked as high risk or not recommended in manual relationships.
Compatible with
Has positive or conditional references with species such as Zebra danio.
Typical risk
Stability depends on temperature, group size, and real compatibility.
Aquarium zone
Where it lives best
Surface
Midwater
primary
Bottom
Quick compatibility
Community signals
Shrimp
Compatible
Snails
Compatible
Slow fish
High risk
Aggressive fish
Conditional
Small fish
Compatible
Large fish
Compatible
Delicate plants
Conditional
Buying decision
Before buying Tiger barb
Review these points before adding it to your aquarium. They are practical notes based on its profile, ecological data, and known relationships.
L
Adult volume
Make sure your aquarium is above 80 L before buying it.
G
Minimum group
Do not keep it alone if it needs a group; plan space for the right number of individuals.
T
Territory and cover
Prepare visual cover and calm areas if it will live with other species.
Parameters
Water conditions
pH
6.0 - 7.5
GH
3 - 15
KH
1 - 8
Temperature
22.0 - 27.0 ºC
Growth and behavior
Juvenile to adult
Juvenile
As a juvenile it feels safer in a group and usually uses the midwater area with coordinated movement. An insufficient group can increase stress and erratic behavior.
Shift
The transition to adulthood usually brings more stable behavior when group size, space and parameters are suitable.
Adult
As an adult it keeps a strong social pattern and is more stable in adequate groups. In balanced communities it usually occupies the midwater area without causing major conflict.
Ecological profile
Role and biological pressure
Schooling Midwater
Community Fish
Small
Medium
Moderate
None
Profile: midwater schooling species, with medium bioload and primary use of the midwater area. It should be kept in a group to show stable behavior and reduce stress. Provide hiding places, visual barriers and enough room to prevent constant pressure. Avoid pairing it with slow or long-finned fish if the group size or space is insufficient.
Ecological radar
profile
Territoriality
52%
Aggression
70%
Activity
78%
Thermal sensitivity
52%
Bioload
52%
Common mistakes
What to avoid
Keeping it in tanks below the recommended adult volume.
Keeping too few individuals for a social species.
Relations
Compatible with
✓
Zebra danio
Conditional
Main risk: Adult space
Review conditions
Puntigrus tetrazona + Danio rerio: compatibility depends strongly on group size and keeping social species in adequate numbers.
B
Bronze cory
Conditional
Main risk: Water parameters
Review conditions
Puntigrus tetrazona + Corydoras aeneus: cohabitation is usually viable if volume, parameters, groups and adult behavior are respected.
C
Cardinal tetra
Conditional
Main risk: Fin nipping
Review conditions
Puntigrus tetrazona + Paracheirodon axelrodi: there is a risk of fin nipping, harassment or stress in slow, nervous or long-finned species.
K
Kuhli loach
Conditional
Main risk: Water parameters
Review conditions
Puntigrus tetrazona + Pangio kuhlii: cohabitation is usually viable if volume, parameters, groups and adult behavior are respected.
N
Neon tetra
Conditional
Main risk: Fin nipping
Review conditions
Puntigrus tetrazona + Paracheirodon innesi: there is a risk of fin nipping, harassment or stress in slow, nervous or long-finned species.
Relations
Avoid keeping with
!
Siamese Fighting Fish
Not recommended
Main risk: Fin nipping
Not recommended
Betta splendens + Puntigrus tetrazona: there is a risk of fin nipping, harassment or stress in slow, nervous or long-finned species.
D
Dwarf puffer
Not recommended
Main risk: Territorial behavior
Not recommended
Puntigrus tetrazona + Carinotetraodon travancoricus: territoriality, dominance or competition for calm areas of the aquarium may occur.
Angelfish
High risk
Main risk: Fin nipping
High risk
Puntigrus tetrazona + Pterophyllum scalare: there is a risk of fin nipping, harassment or stress in slow, nervous or long-finned species.
Guppy
High risk
Main risk: Fin nipping
High risk
Puntigrus tetrazona + Poecilia Reticulata: there is a risk of fin nipping, harassment or stress in slow, nervous or long-finned species.
D
Discus
High risk
Main risk: Fin nipping
High risk
Symphysodon aequifasciatus + Puntigrus tetrazona: there is a risk of fin nipping, harassment or stress in slow, nervous or long-finned species.
Essential care
Keep a large group to spread intraspecific aggression. Avoid bettas, long-finned guppies, angelfish and delicate gouramis. Provide moderate current and open areas.
Daily time
10 min
Breeding
It is an egg scatterer and adults may eat the eggs. A dedicated tank with fine plants or spawning mops and adult removal is required.
Oviparous
Moderate
Machos algo más esbeltos; hembras más robustas
Alerts and health
- Grupo
- Agua estable
- Cambios semanales
Common issues
Ich
Parásitos externos
Expert notes
Interesting details
01
Es una especie muy popular en acuariofilia
02
Se aprecia más cuando se mantiene correctamente
Editorial confidence
Last review: June 2026
Content based on parameters, ecological profiles and manual relationships.
Profile data
Ecological profile
Manual relationships
General aquarium observation
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