Latin name

Puntigrus tetrazona

Other name

Tiger barb

Identification

These barbs have tall, strongly compressed bodies. There are no whiskers.  Females are larger than males and have a fuller abdomen.

Features of fish fins

The voile form has also been bred by breeders.

Fish colouring

It has a dense, light brown body with four vertical black stripes. There is also a green colour variation.

Distribution

It inhabits the waters of the Sumatra and Kalimantan islands. It was introduced to Europe in 1935.

Habitat

They prefer clear forest streams that are rich in oxygen. The substrate usually consists of sand and stones, and the area is densely vegetated.

It requires water with a temperature of 22-24 °C, a hardness of up to 17 ° and a pH of 6.5-7.0 for maintenance. It can survive in water as cold as 15 °C.

Size

This species of fish grows to a maximum length of 7 cm.

Behavior

This is a very active and cheerful fish. Due to its unpretentious nature, it is recommended for both experienced and novice aquarists. However, it is not recommended to keep it with fish that have long or velvet fins. They often attack aquarium snails. When kept in pairs, they can annoy other inhabitants, but when kept in groups of five or more, they are occupied with each other and establish a hierarchy, leaving the rest of the fish in relative peace.

Food and feeding habits

Both live and dry food can be fed to the fish, but the diet must be supplemented with plant matter to prevent obesity and disease. If there is a lack of plant food, the fish will start plucking young plants.

Reproduction

Puberty occurs by 12 months and they can produce up to 500 eggs. Life expectancy is 3–4 years.

A pair of fish are placed in a spawning aquarium containing small-leaved plants and at a water temperature of 25-26 °C. The eggs are slightly larger than 1 mm in diameter and are yellowish in colour. After 24–36 hours, the fry hatch and cling to the plants for the first few days. After four to five days, the fry can swim and remain close to the ground. By this time, they are more than 5 mm long and beginning to eat the smallest food, such as cyclops and daphnia. By the age of 2.5–3 months, it is possible to distinguish future males from females by colouration. Fish reach sexual maturity after 6-8 months. During the warm season, the female can lay eggs several times and produce offspring.

Aquarium conditions

To keep these fish, it is best to have a densely planted aquarium with open areas for swimming, with a capacity of at least 50 litres. Dark soil is preferable. A group of 5-10 or more Sumatran barbs can be kept with other peaceful fish that are able to stand up for themselves. The most important thing is that the aquarium is free of excessive concentrations of nitrogen compounds and phosphates.