Tiger barb tank mates

Good matches

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The safest picks for tiger barbs are corydoras, neon tetras and clown loaches. Each match shares tiger barbs' temperature and pH and leaves them alone.

Famous fin nipper. Big groups keep them busy with each other.

Temperature: 72–81°F
pH: 6–7.5
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Minimum tank: 30 gal
With care: 19
Avoid: 16

How each group of fish does with tiger barbs. Click through below for the reason behind every verdict.

Good tank mates

Possible, with care

Molly Water chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.5.
Pea puffer Pea puffers are aggressive. Tiger barbs hold their own only in a big tank with places to hide.
Honey gourami Tiger barbs nip at slow fish. Honey gouramis cannot get away.
Dwarf gourami Tiger barbs nip at slow fish. Dwarf gouramis cannot get away.
Cherry shrimp Tiger barbs will eat baby shrimp and may chase adults. Dense plants or moss give cherry shrimp somewhere to hide.
Amano shrimp Tiger barbs will eat baby shrimp and may chase adults. Dense plants or moss give amano shrimp somewhere to hide.
Bamboo shrimp Tiger barbs will eat baby shrimp and may chase adults. Dense plants or moss give bamboo shrimp somewhere to hide.
African dwarf frog Tiger barbs nip at slow fish. African dwarf frogs cannot get away.
Elephant nose fish Tiger barbs nip at slow fish. Elephant nose fish cannot get away.
Ghost shrimp Tiger barbs will eat baby shrimp and may chase adults. Dense plants or moss give ghost shrimp somewhere to hide.
Common pleco Plecos grow to 15 inches and need 125 gallons, far more than a tank set up for tiger barbs.
Pearl gourami Tiger barbs nip at slow fish. Pearl gouramis cannot get away.
Bala shark A grown bala shark may treat small tiger barbs as food, especially at night.
Koi At 24 inches a koi can swallow a small tiger barb. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.
Tinfoil barb A grown tinfoil barb may treat small tiger barbs as food, especially at night.
German blue ram They only share 80–81°F. Keep the heater set there and steady.
Electric yellow cichlid Different water: tiger barbs want pH 6–7.5, yellow labs want pH 7.8–8.6.
Blood parrot Tiger barbs nip at slow fish. Blood parrots cannot get away.
Peacock cichlid Different water: tiger barbs want pH 6–7.5, peacock cichlids want pH 7.8–8.6.

Avoid

Betta Tiger barbs nip fins, and the long fins of bettas are an easy target.
Guppy Tiger barbs nip fins, and the long fins of guppies are an easy target.
Angelfish Tiger barbs nip fins, and the long fins of angelfish are an easy target.
Goldfish Goldfish are coldwater animals (60–74°F); tiger barbs need 72–81°F. They overlap only at 72–74°F, the edge of both ranges.
African cichlid African cichlids are aggressive and much bigger than tiger barbs.
Axolotl Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); tiger barbs need 72–81°F. No temperature suits both.
Oscar An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3 inches tiger barbs do.
Bichir An adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3 inches tiger barbs do.
Black ghost knife An adult black ghost knife eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3 inches tiger barbs do.
Convict cichlid Convict cichlids are aggressive and much bigger than tiger barbs.
Jack Dempsey An adult jack dempsey eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3 inches tiger barbs do.
Silver arowana An adult silver arowana eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3 inches tiger barbs do.
Fancy goldfish Fancy goldfish are coldwater animals (65–74°F); tiger barbs need 72–81°F. They overlap only at 72–74°F, the edge of both ranges.
Discus No shared temperature. Discus need 82–88°F, tiger barbs need 72–81°F.
White cloud minnow White cloud minnows are coldwater animals (60–72°F); tiger barbs need 72–81°F. They meet only at 72°F, the edge of both ranges.
Flowerhorn An adult flowerhorn eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3 inches tiger barbs do.

Planning a mixed tank? The tank mate checker tests every pair at once. Or read the tiger barb care sheet.

Questions

What are the best tank mates for tiger barbs?

Corydoras, Neon tetras, Clown loaches, Kuhli loaches, Sparkling gouramis. They share tiger barbs' temperature and pH and leave them alone.

What fish should not live with tiger barbs?

Bettas, Guppies, Angelfish, Goldfish, African cichlids. Tiger barbs nip fins, and the long fins of bettas are an easy target.

How is compatibility checked?

Each pair is compared on temperature and pH overlap, adult size and mouth size, fin nipping, temperament and territory. The worst result decides the verdict.