Care Level: Moderate

Temperament: Semi-Aggressive

Live Plant Safe: Yes

General Description: The Longfin Tiger Barb is a longfinned 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 Longfin tiger barbs, as both sexes will have an orange-copper body with four black bands across their body and elongated fins, but females will have a rounder shape at maturity. Longfin 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 Longfin tiger barbs are kept in too small of an aquarium and in too few of numbers. A natural schooling fish, Longfin tiger barbs require at least 8 to 10 individuals. An adult Longfin tiger barb can reach a size of approximately 2.5″. Because of selective breeding and inbreeding, Longfin tiger barbs are more prone to disease given their weak genetics. Here at Aquatics Unlimited, our Longfin tiger barbs are monitored for a period of time before they are made available to ensure you’re receiving healthy individuals.

Diet Requirements: Longfin 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 20 gallon aquarium is ideal for a small group of Longfin tiger barbs. Longfin 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 Longfin 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 these fish are commercially produced, 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 Longfin tiger barbs happy, but a darker substrate, driftwood and other natural-looking arrangements will bring out the beauty of this barb. Longfin tiger barbs have been observed to show exceptional coloration in dense live planted aquariums. Longfin tiger barbs are a very gregarious and boisterous species, and should be mixed with fish that have similar temperaments for the best compatability. 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.