Tiger Barb: tank size, group & compatibility data

Stocking notes

Fast, assertive schooling fish; larger groups help, but long-finned tankmates remain a poor choice.

For planning, StockingLab models Tiger Barb at its approximate adult size rather than the juvenile size commonly seen in shops. That matters because space use and waste production can change dramatically as fish mature.

What the calculator checks

• Whether the tank's usable volume is below the 90 L / 23.8 US gal reference minimum.
• Whether the selected group is below the planner's typical 8 fish social starting point.
• Whether target temperature and pH sit inside the planning range.
• Whether prospective tankmates create predation, fin-nipping, territorial or water-overlap conflicts.
• Whether too many fish accumulate in the same mid swim zone.

Before buying

Use this profile as a shortlist tool, not as a substitute for a dedicated care source. Confirm adult size, diet, sex ratio, habitat structure and locally relevant water conditions before purchase.

How to interpret this Tiger Barb profile

At roughly 7 cm / 2.8 in adult length, Tiger Barb should be planned at mature size rather than the smaller size commonly offered for sale. The reference tank is 90+ L / 23.8+ US gal, with a planning water window of 20–27°C and pH 6–8. A midpoint around 23.5°C and pH 7.0 is useful only as a comparison aid; the aim is stable water that overlaps the needs of the whole community.

The profile starts from a social group of 8+ because this is a strongly group-oriented species; planning only one or two would understate both its welfare needs and the space used by a proper group. The modeled waste factor is 1.00×, so biological load is only one part of the decision; adult space, group size and swim-zone crowding still need to be checked. Activity is modeled at 1.35×, which makes horizontal swimming length and unobstructed space more important than litres alone.

Common planning mistakes to avoid

• Keep the group at or above the 8+ planning starting point before adding extra species.
• Avoid slow or long-finned tankmates unless a dedicated species source supports the pairing and the tank provides enough space.
• Prioritise tank length and open swimming room when comparing aquariums with similar volume.
• Check that the planned temperature sits inside the shared 20–27°C range for every species in the community.

Bottom line: the profile is designed to screen a proposed aquarium for obvious pressure points. A result that passes StockingLab still needs to be checked against current, species-specific husbandry information for Puntigrus tetrazona, especially diet, breeding behavior, sex ratio and habitat structure.