Tiger Barb
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Tiger
Barb
Pontius
Tetrazona
Max.
size: 7cm
/ 2.8inches
pH
range:
6 – 8
dH
range:
5-19
Temperature range:
18 – 28°C / 64.5 – 82.5°F
Care
Easy / Moderate
Common names-
Tiger Barb, Sumatra Barb
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The Tiger Barb originates from
South East Asia and is native to Malaysia and
Indonesia. It has been extensively bred
by aquarists to give a number of hybrids with
different colourings and markings such as the
Albino Tiger Barb and the Green Tiger
Barb.
The wild Tiger
Barb is silvery to brownish yellow and has four
black stripes that run vertical along the body
giving it the name of Tiger Barb. The fins are
a vivid orange.
The Albino Tiger Barb is as
the name suggests devoid of any pigment and
they are very pale compared to the true Tiger
Barb.
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Tiger Barb by
Wikipedia
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The Green Tiger
Barb is also known as the Moss-Banded Bard and is extremely
popular as it is a deep fluorescent green colour. All
types of Tiger barb will shoal together and the care
requirements are the same for all types.
It is a shoaling fish that will
spend its time in the mid level of the aquarium. Unless
kept in shoals of six or more they can display aggressive
behaviour. Within the shoal they will develop a definite
pecking order and this will also extend to other fish within
the aquarium. Tiger Barbs have been known to attack
injured fish so it is essential to remove any injured fish from
your aquarium. Avoid keeping any fish with flowing fins
in a tank with Tiger Barbs.
Aquariums need to be at least 24
inches in length and well planted with open spaces to mimic
their natural environment.
They are omnivorous by nature and
will feed on plant matter, worms and small crustaceans. It is
essential to provide them with a well varied diet. A
high-quality flake food for tropical fish can be used as a
base. Supplement this with frozen or live food such as brine
shrimps and bloodworms. Tiger Barbs will also like small pieces
of boiled vegetables such as Zucchini.
Determining the gender of Tiger
Barbs is not difficult as the female is larger than the male
and sports a round belly. The males have a red nose, and above
the black part of their dorsal fin you can see a red line. The
dorsal fin of the female is mainly black.
They will breed readily in
captivity pairing up within the shoal but will eat their own
eggs and young if left together.
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