Tiger Barb
Barbus tetrazona
Mostly Lean But Sometimes Mean!
A tiger barb makes a wonderful addition to any tropical fish aquarium but there is a caveat!
We'll get to that in a moment but let's take a look at this wonderfully attractive fish...
Similar in coloration to the Clown Loach, this Barb, or Barbus Tetrazona in Latin, likes to swim in schools of other barbs or similar fish.
Tiger Barb Fish
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tiger_barb_fish.jpg
Here's a little video on YouTube.com of these great fish...
At roughly 4 to 5 centimeters (2 inches) they are reasonably small but they are very active and playful.
And this is where I can mention that caveat.
The "Tiger" can sometimes "boil over" the edge of playfulness and into the realm of aggressiveness.
Long-finned aquarium fish like Angels can be a problem so it is best to think about your aquarium community before you put the fish into the tank.
Not all barbs have this demeanor though and it is a good idea to isolate those aggressive barbs or perhaps even return them to the aquarium or hobby shop and replace them.
It you initially ask the salesperson to give you Barbs that are quite docile from the start you probably won't have these problems.
That shouldn't be a problem for the salesperson - if he/she is good at their job of course!
Again, like the Clown Loach, this Barb comes from the streams of Borneo, Sumatra and even Thailand.
These fish can be a little "portly" or rounded in shape when looking from the side but they are quite thin when viewed end-on.
They are definitely a very appealing tropical fish. With their 4 black bands and bright orange/red body the Barbs looks good swimming in schools up and down your tank.
Let's look into the specifics of keeping these tropical fish in your aquarium...
* As mentioned, they can be prone to being aggressive. To be fore-warned is to be fore-armed!
* The Barb thrives in a water temperature of between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit...
* A pH water value of between 6 to 8 is ideal...
* They will eat all types of food but can tend to be quite greedy and snap up all the food before other slower fish can get to it...
* The Tiger Barb will often rest nose down. Don't be alarmed by this as it is not a sign that the fish is sick or disorientated...
* You can breed the Barb in captivity but it is best to move them to a separate breeding tank when the time is right.
So keeping the Barb in a community aquarium is relatively easily achieved as long as you take account of its special traits and plan accordingly. You should be able to enjoy years of pleasure from your Barbs.
Find More Info on the Tiger Barb Here...
And for more information on the Tiger Barb click here...
Good luck!
