Green Tiger Barb (Puntigrus tetrazona)

Green Tiger Barb is the green or moss colour form of the familiar Tiger Barb, commonly sold in the UK under Puntigrus tetrazona. Older aquarium books and supplier lists may use Barbus tetrazona, Capoeta tetrazona or Puntius tetrazona; these older names are useful search synonyms, but Puntigrus tetrazona is the clearer modern trade identification for this listing.

The green form has the same active social behaviour and care needs as the standard Tiger Barb. Use the live size selector for current supplied size, stock and price rather than planning around one fixed juvenile size.

Quick care

• UK trade name: Green Tiger Barb / Moss Green Tiger Barb
• Scientific/trade identification: Puntigrus tetrazona
• Adult size: around 6–7 cm
• Group: keep at least 8; larger groups are preferable
• Practical aquarium: around 80–100 litres or larger, with good swimming length
• Temperature: around 20–26°C
• pH: approximately 6.0–8.0
• Temperament: active and potentially fin-nippy if kept in too small a group
• Diet: omnivorous

Group size and behaviour

Tiger Barbs are social fish and should be kept in a proper shoal. A group of eight or more helps direct normal chasing and display behaviour towards their own kind rather than slower tank mates. In a larger aquarium, ten or more can create a more natural and visually impressive group.

Keeping only a pair or trio often makes fin-nipping and persistent chasing more noticeable. Group size is therefore part of welfare and compatibility, not simply a display choice.

Aquarium setup

Use a mature aquarium with open midwater swimming space, planted or wooded edges and a secure lid. A darker substrate helps the metallic green body colour show well. Moderate flow and good oxygenation suit the species, provided the whole aquarium is not turned into a strong current.

Ammonia and nitrite must remain at zero. Keep nitrate controlled with appropriate stocking, regular partial water changes and measured feeding.

Feeding

Offer a varied omnivorous diet. Quality small flakes or micro-pellets can form the staple, supported by plant or spirulina-based foods and small frozen or live foods such as daphnia, Artemia and mosquito larvae.

Feed small portions once or twice daily and spread food across the surface so the whole shoal can eat. Remove leftovers before they affect water quality.

Tank mates

Choose robust, active fish that tolerate similar water and will not be intimidated by a busy shoal. Danios, suitable rasboras, many rainbowfish and carefully chosen bottom dwellers can work in a sufficiently large aquarium.

Avoid long-finned or slow fish such as fancy guppies, male Bettas and many Angelfish because their fins can attract persistent nipping. Tiny shrimp and shrimplets should not be assumed safe.

Sexing and breeding

Mature males are usually slimmer and show stronger red around the snout and fins, while females become fuller-bodied when carrying eggs. Juveniles are less reliable to sex.

Green Tiger Barbs are egg scatterers and provide no parental care. Breeding is best attempted in a separate aquarium with fine-leaved plants, spawning mops or mesh that protects the eggs from adults.

Before ordering

Choose Green Tiger Barbs if you have enough room for a proper active shoal and suitably robust tank mates. Reconsider if the aquarium is small, contains long-finned fish or only has space for two or three barbs.

The live product selector remains the source for current supplied size, stock and price.