Tiger Barb: Tank Size, Tank Mates and Setup
A bold, striped schooling fish and a well-known fin nipper. Keep six or more in 29 gallons or larger.
- Minimum tank
- 29 gallons
- Temperature
- 72–79°F
- Group size
- 6 or more
- Adult size
- 3 inMiddle of the tank
- A bigger group (8 or more) keeps the nipping within the school.
- Don't keep with long-finned or slow fish.
Puntigrus tetrazona. Figures are commonly published care ranges; see how it works.
How many tiger barbs per tank size
The most you could keep if tiger barbs were the only species. Open a size in the builder to add tank mates.
| Tank | Tiger barb, kept alone | |
|---|---|---|
| 5 gallon | Too small (needs 29+ gal) | |
| 10 gallon | Too small (needs 29+ gal) | |
| 20 gallon | Too small (needs 29+ gal) | |
| 29 gallon | Up to 10 | Plan this tank |
| 40 gallon | Up to 15 | Plan this tank |
| 55 gallon | Up to 20 | Plan this tank |
| 75 gallon | Up to 28 | Plan this tank |
What you need for tiger barbs in a 29-gallon tank
A starting setup: 6 tiger barbs in the smallest standard tank that suits them.
29-gallon tank
- These fit a 29-gallon tank and get along. Aim for about 76°F.
Equipment, sized for this tank
Starter supplies
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Tiger barb tank mates
These share a temperature range and temperament with tiger barbs, with no warnings from our checks.
Use caution with: betta, guppy, pearl gourami, angelfish, fancy goldfish, cherry shrimp, amano shrimp. Add them in the builder to see why.
Plan a tank around tiger barbs
Add tank mates, check the stocking level and get the equipment sized for your tank.
Open the tank builderTiger barb questions
What size tank does a tiger barb need?
At least 29 gallons for a group of 6. A larger tank is more stable and gives you more choice of tank mates.
How many tiger barbs can I keep in a 29-gallon tank?
Up to about 10 if they are the only species in the tank. Fewer if you add other fish.
Do tiger barbs need a heater?
Usually yes. Tiger barb does best at 72–79°F, which is warmer than most rooms. A 29-gallon tank needs about 100 watts in a 68°F room.
What fish can live with tiger barbs?
Good matches include neon tetras, cardinal tetras, ember tetras, rummy-nose tetras, black skirt tetras, Endler's livebearers. They share a temperature range and temperament with tiger barbs.