Tiger barb size: how big does it get?

Adults reach about 6 cm. The largest on record measured 7 cm (total length). Record sizes among the 137 Cyprinidae species on LumaReef: 1.3 cm (Strawberry Rasbora) to 200 cm (Yellowcheek).

Tiger barb tank size: what is the minimum?

A tank at least 80 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Standard tank or larger.

Tiger barb water parameters: what does it need?

Temperature 22–26 °C, pH 6.5–7.8, hardness 5–19 °dGH. Close to what most Cyprinidae on LumaReef need (20–26 °C).

Tiger barb tank mates: what can it live with?

It gets along with 38 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Silver hatchetfish, Pearl danio, and Bronze corydoras.

FreshwaterIn the market60 coinsCommon

Tiger barb

Puntigrus tetrazona

A hyperactive shoal that nips at any fin trailing in front of it.

The Tiger barb (Puntigrus tetrazona) is a tropical freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae. It swims in midwater, close to the bottom. Adults grow to about 6 cm; the largest on record measured 7 cm (total length). In the aquarium it needs a tank at least 80 cm long and water at 22–26 °C.

Size: 6 cm
Smallest tank: 80 cm
Temperature: 22–26 °C
Care: Easy

In the aquarium

Temperature22–26 °C

pH6.5–7.8

Hardness5–19 °dGH

Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Diet: Omnivore
Activity: Busy
Water layer: Mid water
Group: Happiest in a group of 8 or more
Plants: Plant safe

These values are compiled from real species data, and the LumaReef simulation is built to keep them true to life.

Which tank it fits

Nano60 cm · 65 litresToo small
Standard90 cm · 180 litres36 of them
Wide120 cm · 300 litres60 of them
Living room180 cm · 650 litres130 of them
Showcase250 cm · 1,200 litres240 of them
Gallery300 cm · 1,440 litres288 of them

Who it lives with

Gets along38 species

and 14 more species

Caution47 species

Narrow shared temperature range

Crowding the same layer

Not together14 species

These two do not get along

Water temperatures do not overlap

In the wild

Water type: Freshwater
Climate zone: Tropical
Habitat: Midwater, close to the bottom
Largest on record: 7 cmtotal length
Aquarium trade: Very common

Conservation status

Classification

OrderCypriniformes
FamilyCyprinidae
GenusPuntigrus
SpeciesPuntigrus tetrazona

In other languages

Spanish: Sumatrano
Russian: Суматранский пунтиус

Quick answers

Tiger barb size: how big does it get?: Adults reach about 6 cm. The largest on record measured 7 cm (total length). Record sizes among the 137 Cyprinidae species on LumaReef: 1.3 cm (Strawberry Rasbora) to 200 cm (Yellowcheek).
Tiger barb tank size: what is the minimum?: A tank at least 80 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Standard tank or larger.
Tiger barb water parameters: what does it need?: Temperature 22–26 °C, pH 6.5–7.8, hardness 5–19 °dGH. Close to what most Cyprinidae on LumaReef need (20–26 °C).
Tiger barb tank mates: what can it live with?: It gets along with 38 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Silver hatchetfish, Pearl danio, and Bronze corydoras.
Tiger barb: alone or in a group?: Keep at least 8 together.
Tiger barb and plants: is it plant safe?: Yes, it leaves plants alone.