Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Semi-Aggressive
Live Plant Safe: Yes
General Description: The Albino Tiger Barb is a color morph of the standard Tiger Barb (Puntigrus tetrazona) that is endemic to river systems of Sumatra and Borneo. There is little observed sexual dimorphism between male and female Albino tiger barbs, as both sexes will have an orange-cream coloration with white stripes, but females will have a rounder shape at maturity. Albino tiger barbs are known to be one of the more pugnacious barb species, having a bad reputation for nipping fins of slow-moving and long-finned tank mates. This is more frequently encountered when Albino tiger barbs are kept in too small of an aquarium and in too few of numbers. A natural schooling fish, Albino tiger barbs require at least 8 to 10 individuals. An adult Albino tiger barb can reach a size of approximately 2.5″. Because of selective breeding and inbreeding, Albino tiger barbs are more prone to disease given their weak genetics. Here at Aquatics Unlimited, our Albino tiger barbs are monitored for a period of time before they are made available to ensure you’re receiving healthy individuals.
Diet Requirements: Albino tiger barbs are omnivores. A diet made up of various high quality vegetable based and protein based flake foods, sinking micro pellet foods and bug bites are ideal, in addition to offering frozen foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp and daphnia. Some emphasis should be put on offering ample plant or algal based foods for this species. Variety is the spice of life in order to maintain color, immune function and longevity of your fish.
Care Requirements: An established minimum 55 gallon aquarium is ideal for a group of Albino tiger barbs. Albino tiger barbs are one of our listed “hardy fish” because they are able to endure the initial break-in cycle of a newly set-up aquarium; however, adding Albino tiger barbs into an already cycled aquarium would be better for this fish. Biweekly water changes are encouraged to keep water parameters favorable (Nitrates < 30 ppm). Because only aquacultured Albino tiger barbs are available, they have a range of water parameters in which they can adapt to. The aquarium does not need to be aquascaped with anything in particular to keep a school of Albino tiger barbs happy, but a darker substrate, driftwood and other natural-looking arrangements will bring out the beauty of this barb. Albino tiger barbs have been observed to show exceptional coloration in dense live planted aquariums. Albino tiger barbs are a very gregarious and boisterous species, and should be mixed with fish that have similar temperaments for the best compatibility. Avoid slow-moving fish, timid fish and fish with decorative fins. Recommended water conditions, 72-78° F, KH 5-12, pH 6.0-7.5.
Purchase Size: Medium: 3/4” to 1”
Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase sizes are approximate.