What fish can live with Tiger Barb?

Species-only is the safest setup. If mixing, pair with fish that ignore the nipping: clown loaches, plecos, large danios. Skip bettas, angels, gouramis, anything slow.

What tank mates should you avoid with Tiger Barb?

Avoid Betta, Guppy, Angelfish, Neon Tetra, Dwarf Gourami based on size, temperament, or predation risk on file.

What size tank do Tiger Barb need for a community?

100L minimum for a group of eight with real swim length. Smaller tanks concentrate the nipping on tank mates.

Tiger Barb tank mates

Notorious fin-nipper, but stable in a group of eight or more. The solo or trio tiger barb is the version that destroys community tanks.

Evidence: verified

Confidence: high

Lists below are built from this species record (safest, best with, risky, unsafe) — each link opens a pair-level check, not a guarantee.

← Full Tiger Barb profile·Compatibility checker·Tank builder·More barb

Best tank mates (on file)

Merged from conservative safest and best with fields — de-duplicated by species.

Bristlenose Pleco Pair check
The Tiger Barb profile lists Bristlenose Pleco as both safe and a recommended pairing. Bristlenose Pleco grows bigger than Tiger Barb (15cm vs 7cm). Stock the Tiger Barb group large enough to outnumber the Bristlenose Pleco, or the smaller fish ends up bullied or off food. Bristlenose Pleco swims in the bottom zone while Tiger Barb stays in the middle, so the two will not crowd the same water column.
Cherry Barb Pair check
The Tiger Barb profile lists Cherry Barb as both safe and a recommended pairing. Cherry Barb schools in groups of 6 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish.
Corydoras Catfish Pair check
The Tiger Barb profile lists Corydoras Catfish as both safe and a recommended pairing. Corydoras Catfish schools in groups of 6 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish. Corydoras Catfish swims in the bottom zone while Tiger Barb stays in the middle, so the two will not crowd the same water column.

Risky or situational

From risky tank mates and broad avoid with (excluding “unsafe” below). May work with species-only setups, more water, or mature systems — read the pair page.

None on file beyond the safe list.

Fish to avoid with Tiger Barb

From the unsafe list — predation, aggression, or space rules on this profile.

Betta See why (pair)
Betta conflicts with Tiger Barb on temperament, predation, or footprint. The juvenile size in a shop tank is not the figure that matters here.
Guppy See why (pair)
Guppy conflicts with Tiger Barb on temperament, predation, or footprint. The juvenile size in a shop tank is not the figure that matters here.
Angelfish See why (pair)
Angelfish reaches 20cm and is flagged predatory. Tiger Barb at 7cm is prey-sized for it.
Neon Tetra See why (pair)
Neon Tetra conflicts with Tiger Barb on temperament, predation, or footprint. The juvenile size in a shop tank is not the figure that matters here.
Dwarf Gourami See why (pair)
Dwarf Gourami conflicts with Tiger Barb on temperament, predation, or footprint. The juvenile size in a shop tank is not the figure that matters here.

Tank size and groups

Published minimum for Tiger Barb: 80L — group minimum 8 (schooling).
Compatibility changes when the tank is too short for turning, too little for a real school, or too warm for one species and not the other — that is why pair checks include tank context, not only temperament.
Nearest litre hub to this minimum: 80L hub.

Easier alternatives to consider

Conservative beginner-peaceful picks from the library — not replacements for reading, but a shorter on-ramp than this species for a first tank.

Plan before you buy

Pair checks for every mix, then multi-species stocking in the builder.

Open compatibility checker Tank builder

Filtration & heating

A 80L minimum tank for Tiger Barb needs a filter rated for at least 320L/hr turnover and a heater maintaining 22–27°C.

Filter buying guide →Heater buying guide →Beginner plants guide →

Related (care + temperament)

Other species that list Tiger Barb

Reverse lookup: these profiles reference Tiger Barb under safe or “best with” lists.