How to Feed a Tiger Barb

Tiger barbs (Puntius tetrazona) are tropical fish that are active and relatively easy to care for. Several different breeds exist, including albino and metallic green tiger barbs. Tiger barbs are not fussy eaters. In the wild, they are omnivores, eating growing plants, small water bugs, algae and debris. In captivity you should feed them a varied diet to keep them healthy. They could exist on a diet of fish flakes but it is best to supplement this with meat and vegetables.

Things You'll Need

  • Fish flakes
  • Live food
  • Boiled vegetables
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Instructions

    • 1

      Give your tiger barbs a good quality flake food in the morning and evening. Give them as much as they can eat within five to 10 minutes. If they leave any food, you are giving them far too much. Put in one pinch of food at a time.

    • 2

      Provide live food such as bloodworms or brine shrimp two or three times a week as a change from the flakes. Live food gives them a chance to exhibit natural chasing behavior, but tiger barbs will also eat frozen bloodworms and shrimp.

    • 3

      Provide a small quantity of boiled vegetables such as lettuce or zucchini once a week, although a good flake food contains vegetable matter. Chop the vegetables up and give your fish a tiny bit at a time.