Can tiger barbs live with bichirs?
Verdict
No
No. Tiger barbs and bichirs should not share a tank. An adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3 inches tiger barbs do.
What to watch
- Deal breakerAn adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3 inches tiger barbs do.
What works
- Both are fine at 72–81°F.
- pH 6.5–7.5 suits both.
- They use different parts of the tank: tiger barbs the mid, bichirs the bottom.
Water side by side
Size to scale
Care at a glance
| Tiger barb | Bichir | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 72–81 °F | 72–82 °F |
| pH | 6–7.5 | 6.5–7.5 |
| Adult size | 3.0 in | 12.0 in |
| Minimum tank | 30 gal | 75 gal |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive | Semi-aggressive |
| Swims at | Middle | Bottom |
| Group | Groups of 6+ | Alone or in pairs |
| Diet | Omnivore | Carnivore |
Better tank mates for tiger barbs
Better tank mates for bichirs
Questions
Can tiger barbs live with bichirs?
No. Tiger barbs and bichirs should not share a tank. An adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3 inches tiger barbs do.
What temperature suits both tiger barbs and bichirs?
72–81 °F. Tiger barbs need 72–81 °F, bichirs need 72–82 °F.
What size tank do tiger barbs and bichirs need together?
At least 75 gal, set by the bichir. Add space for each extra fish.