Tiger barb care: tank size, temperature and tankmates

Bold, striped and very active, with a reputation for fin nipping. Tiger barbs are great fun in the right tank.

Quick facts

How to keep them

Keep 6 or more with other fast fish, and never with bettas, gouramis or angelfish.

Like every fish, they need a cycled tank, a heater set inside their range, and a weekly water change of about 25%. Test for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate before you add them. New to this? Start with how to cycle a fish tank.

Tankmates

Good tankmates

Neon tetra · Cardinal tetra · Ember tetra · Rummynose tetra · Black skirt tetra · Serpae tetra · Harlequin rasbora · Zebra danio · Cherry barb · Platy · Endler's livebearer · Molly · Swordtail · Corydoras (bronze or peppered) · Pygmy corydoras · Kuhli loach · Otocinclus · Bristlenose pleco · Amano shrimp · Nerite snail · Mystery snail

Possible, with care

• White cloud mountain minnow: They only share 72°F. A good heater and thermometer are a must.
• Honey gourami: Tiger barbs may nip the thread-like fins of gouramis.
• Dwarf gourami: Tiger barbs may nip the thread-like fins of gouramis.
• Pearl gourami: Tiger barbs may nip the thread-like fins of gouramis.
• Cherry shrimp: Tiger barbs eat baby cherry shrimp. Adults usually survive with plenty of moss to hide in.

Avoid

• Guppy: Tiger barbs nip fins, and guppies have long fins.
• Betta (male): Tiger barbs nip fins, and bettas have long fins.
• Angelfish: Tiger barbs nip fins, and angelfish have long fins.
• Fancy goldfish: Goldfish need cool water and grow big and messy. Keep them with other goldfish, not tropical fish.
• Common goldfish: Goldfish need cool water and grow big and messy. Keep them with other goldfish, not tropical fish.

Check a whole tank in the fish compatibility checker, or see if they fit with the stocking calculator.

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