The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Birchwood Aquatic Centre shop. Species sold at the Birchwood Aquatic Centre physical store may differ from ones available to order to your door.
Tiger Barb Puntius Tetrazona 3cm
Image for illustration purposes only. Exact colours, patterns, and size may vary between individuals.
Delivered alive, guaranteed
Live fish delivery is £20 per order, delivered Thursday, Friday or Saturday, arriving before 1:00pm on the day you choose at checkout. Packed by aquatic specialists and shipped overnight with a dedicated livestock courier, every fish is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee with automatic refunds. See How Live Fish Delivery Works for full details.
When will my fish arrive?
| Order placed | Delivery day |
|---|---|
| Up to Monday 11:00am | Thursday (that week) |
| Monday after 11:00am – Tuesday 11:00am | Friday (that week) |
| Tuesday after 11:00am – Wednesday 11:00am | Saturday (that week) |
| Wednesday after 11:00am – Sunday (any time) | Thursday (following week) |
Overview
The Tiger Barb is the classic boisterous barb: a deep-bodied, golden-orange fish with four bold black bands and red-tipped fins. Wild fish come from clear forest streams in Sumatra, though aquarium stock is farm-bred. Constantly active and full of character, it suits lively community tanks of robust fish.
- Adult Size: Around 6–7 cm (2.5 in); females larger and fuller-bodied
- Lifespan: 5–7 years
Origin
- Native to: Central and southern Sumatra, Indonesia
- Habitat: Clear forest streams over sand, pebbles and rock
Feeding
- Diet: Omnivorous
- Preferred Foods: Flake with vegetable content, micro pellets, bloodworm, Daphnia, Artemia, blanched vegetables
- Feeding Habits: Feed once or twice daily; greedy, so avoid overfeeding
Tank Mates
- Best with: Danios, rainbowfish, loaches, other barbs, fast-moving tetras
- Avoid: Guppies, bettas, angelfish, gouramis and slow or long-finned fish
Aggression & Behaviour
- Temperament: Semi-aggressive, known fin-nipper
- Territoriality: Constant squabbling within the shoal; nipping worsens in small groups
Experience Level
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Challenges: Choosing tank mates and keeping a large enough group
Water Parameters
- Water Type: Freshwater, soft to moderately hard
- Temperature: 20–26°C (68–79°F)
- pH: 6.0–7.5
- Hardness: 2–15 dGH
- Flow: Moderate
- Tank Size: Minimum 100 litres for a group of eight to ten
Final Notes
Keep at least eight to ten together so the shoal's pecking order absorbs their nippiness; small groups turn on tank mates. Males are smaller, slimmer and brighter, with redder snouts, and the fish scatter eggs among plants with no parental care. Green, albino and platinum forms are all the same species. Give them open swimming space with planted edges and they make a constantly entertaining, hardy centrepiece shoal.
Please Note
The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Birchwood Aquatic Centre shop. Species sold at the Birchwood Aquatic Centre physical store may differ from ones available to order to your door.
Frequently Asked Questions
In insulated boxes designed for live transport, packed by aquatic specialists,
overnight with a licensed live-animal courier, arriving before 1pm.
It is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee.
Photograph it within 4 hours of delivery, email info@birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk with your order number, and the refund is processed automatically. The cover continues for 7 days after arrival.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You pick your day at checkout; please choose a day someone is home.
Yes. One basket, one checkout; the fish arrive with the specialist courier and the rest of your order ships as normal.
We can deliver to UK mainland only for live fish.
Follow the five-minute acclimatisation steps in our When Your Fish Arrive guide: float the bags, add tank water gradually, net the fish in, lights low, feed tomorrow.