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Longfin Tiger BarbFamily: CyprinidaeWFCy_Ap4B.jpg) Puntius tetrazonaPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy Ken ChildsLatest Reader Comment - See More We have a 20 gallon tank with 7 longfin tiger barbs, 3 dwarf gouramis, 1 angel fish and 1 pleco. The tiger barbs swim actively in the tank and are not making any... (more) Jane Being the same as the Tiger Barb in most ways, the Longfin Tiger Barb is also very lively and playful!Longfin Tiger Barb Contents The Longfin Tiger Barb is one of the varieties of the regular Tiger Barb. The biggest difference from that of their parentage is that the Longfin Tiger Barb has just that, fins that are a bit longer. Their aquarium requirements, behaviors, care and feeding are the same as their parentage. Like all of their cousins they do best kept in a group of 6 or more, and they are lively and active so need plenty of room to swim. They are hardy and a great fish for beginners, though they can be nippy with their tank mates. For a very attractive effect in your aquarium try adding some Longfin Tiger Barbs to a school of regular Tiger Barbs. They provide a nice contrast of swift moving, darting color! Mixing even more varieties works equally well and creates a really exciting effect. Some of these include the Albino Tiger Barb, and the Green ('moss') Tiger Barb. Though when mature, their colors do tend to fade a bit, a school of these playful and attractive fish in a nice sized aquarium makes an awesome display! These active fast swimming fish need company. These barbs do best in a school of at least six or seven fishes where they establish a "pecking order". They have been known to nip the fins of slower moving and long-finned fish such as gouramis and angelfish, but this problem seems to be demonstrated when they are being kept individually or in a smaller group. Presumably in a larger school they are too busy chasing each other to bother with their other tank mates. For more Information on keeping freshwater fish see: |
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Habitat: Distribution / Background
The Tiger Barb was described by Bleeker in 1855. They are found in Indonesia, Sumatra, Borneo, and possibly Thailand. Many are captive bred for the aquarium industry and the longfin is a captive bred variety.
- Scientific Name: Puntius tetrazona
- Social Grouping: Groups - Best in schools to distribute aggressiveness.
- IUCN Red List: NE - Not Evaluated or not listed - There are no wild populations of this variety.
The body of the Longfin Tiger Barb is a gaily colored yellow to red background with four very distinctive black stripes. There is red on the outside of the dorsal fins as well as on the tail and ventral fins. When in spawning mode they have a bright red snout.
- Maximum Size: 3.0 inches (7.62 cm)
- Aquarium Hardiness: Very Hardy
- Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner
Since they are omnivorous the Longfin Tiger Barb will generally eat all kinds of live, fresh, and flake foods. To keep a good balance give them a high quality flake food everyday. Feed brine shrimp (either live or frozen) or blood worms as a treat.
An aquarium best suited to the Longfin Tiger Barb should have a fine gravel bottom with plants around the inside perimeter along the sides and back, leaving lots of open swimming space. They are susceptible to ich.
- Diet Type: Omnivore
- Flake Food: Yes
- Tablet Pellet: Yes
- Live foods (fishes, shrimps, worms): Some of Diet
- Vegetable Food: Some of Diet
- Meaty Food: Some of Diet
- Feeding Frequency: Several feedings per day - This fish will eat as much as you feed them so the aquarist should determine a reasonable amount.
- Water Changes: Monthly
- Minimum Tank Size: 15 gal (57 L)
- Substrate Type: Any
- Lighting Needs: Moderate - normal lighting
- Temperature: 68.0 - 79.0° F (20.0 - 26.1° C)
- Range ph: 6.5-7.5 - Hobbyists intending to breed their stock should keep the water more acidic.
- Hardness Range: 2 - 30 dGH
- Brackish: No
- Water Movement: Moderate
- Water Region: All - These fish will swim in all areas of the aquarium, but prefer the middle of the aquarium.
The lively Longfin Tiger Barb makes a good community fish, especially with other fast moving fish. They have been known to get a bit nippy, especially when kept singly or in very small groups so it is a good idea to get at least six or seven. Then they bother each other instead of the other tank inhabitants.
Some sources do not recommend them as a community fish because of this tendency to nip the fins of slow moving and long-finned fishes, such as gouramis and angelfish. Their may be some damage to their own long fins, due to the nipping tendency of their kind.
- Temperament: Semi-aggressive - Groups of this fish will be hierarchal. It is a good idea to keep them in a school of at least six to diffuse some of their aggressive tendencies amongst themselves so as to prevent bullying of other fish. A singly kept fish will be highly aggressive. Tiger Barbs will nip the fins of slower moving fish such as angelfish or gouramis.
- Compatible with:
- Same species - conspecifics: Yes
- Peaceful fish (): Monitor - These fish may irritate peaceful tankmates with their constant activity and possible fin-nipping.
- Slow Swimmers & Eaters: (): Monitor - This is a rather quick fish at feeding time. Make sure any slower fish get enough to eat if you are keeping them with barbs.
- Shrimps, Crabs, Snails: Safe - not aggressive
The female is heavier especially during the spawning season. The males are more brightly colored and smaller. During spawning they will develop a very red nose.
The Longfin Tiger Barbs are egg layers. See the description of breeding techniques in Breeding Freshwater Fish.
- Ease of Propagation: Moderate
The Longfin Tiger Barb is occasionally available, though not as readily as the regular Tiger Barb or the other color morphs.
Animal-World References
Freshwater Fish and Plants
Tropical Fish ~ Freshwater Fish ~ Aquatic Plants
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