Natural Habitat for Tiger Barbs

Features

• Tiger barbs have a distinctive appearance. The base body color is cream. There are four black bands on the body: one through the eye, one at the base of the tail and two through the abdomen. Its fins are tipped in red. Tiger barbs grow to about two inches long.

Origins

• Tiger barbs originate from the Sumatra and Borneo regions of Indonesia.

Water Characteristics and Decor

• Tiger barbs need a fairly large tank (bigger than 10 gallons) that is well planted along the sides and back, but open in the front. This gives the fish the security of a place to hide if threatened, and also an area for swimming. The fishes' colors will remain more vivid with dark-colored gravel. The water should be kept at a pH between 6.5 and 7.5, and between 75 and 78 degrees F.

Plant Recommendations

• Plant species that have similar water requirements to tiger barbs include water sprite, Cryptocoryne wendtii, vallisneria, Java fern and Java moss. Aquarium stores that sell plants commonly carry these species.

Warning

• If you are keeping tiger barbs in a tank with other kinds of fish, make sure your group of tiger barbs totals six or more. They like to establish a pecking order within their school; if there are not enough of their own species to do this, they will often start to harass the other fish in the aquarium, nipping their fins.

Fun Fact

• Tiger barbs have been selectively bred to produce additional varieties: albino, green and black.