Tiger Barbs can add zest and life to any aquarium. This extremely active fish will keep an onlooker captivated for hours. They are especially pleasant when in schools of five or more. Tiger Barbs are also hardy, and easy to take care of, which makes them great for beginners, or a low maintenance tank.

Don't let the name, Tiger Barb fool you. They are not a very aggressive fish. Tiger Barbs get their name from their body coloration. They can get a little aggressive if not kept in schools. They are highly active fish. Tiger Barbs might nip at other, less active fish, such as Angle Fish. Tiger Barbs enjoy plenty of space, and decorations such as driftwood and rocks. They may nibble on live plants.

The Tiger Barb is a relatively small fish. It will only reach a size of two to three inches at maturity. Tiger Barbs have vertical orange and black stripes on their bodies, which resemble tiger stripes. This is where their name originates. Males, however, will more of a redder than orange tint, especially in the nose and fin areas.

Tiger Barbs, or the Barbus tetrazona, are originally from Borneo, Indonesia.

Tiger Barbs do not require any special attention, and are rather hardy. They need their water to be between 68 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit. Tiger Barbs do best in slightly acidic water, with a pH in the range of six to seven. They like to eat live and frozen food, such as: blood worms, glass worms, brine shrimp, plankton, daphnia and vegetables. They will eat flake and freeze dried foods, as well.

Tiger Barbs can be encouraged to breed by increasing water temperature to around 25 degrees Celsius. PH levels of 6.5 are best breeding tanks.