Description
Military Green Tiger Barb (Puntigrus tetrazona)
📌 Basic Info
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Scientific Name: Puntigrus tetrazona
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Family: Cyprinidae
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Origin: Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia, Borneo, Sumatra)
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Size: 2.5 – 3 inches (6 – 7.5 cm)
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Lifespan: 5 – 7 years
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Tank Zone: Mid dwellers
🌊 Water Parameters
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TDS: 150 – 300 ppm
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pH: 6.0 – 7.5
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Temperature: 23 – 27°C (74 – 80°F)
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Hardness: 5 – 12 dGH
🐟 Characteristics
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Iconic orange-golden body with 4 bold black vertical stripes.
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Fins often tipped with red/orange.
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Active, playful, and hardy.
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Can be semi-aggressive – known fin nippers.
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Energetic swimmers, need space to move.
🍽️ Food
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Type: Omnivorous.
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Diet: High-quality flakes, micro-pellets, live/frozen foods (bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia), blanched vegetables (spinach, zucchini).
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Feeding: 2–3 times daily in small amounts.
🛠️ Maintenance
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Tank Size: Minimum 20 gallons (larger is better for schools).
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Filtration: Efficient filter with good flow.
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Decor: Plants (real or fake), driftwood, open swimming space.
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Water Change: 25–30% weekly.
👥 Social Behavior
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Minimum Group Size: At least 6–8 (shoaling fish; fewer leads to aggression).
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Tank Mates: Other barbs, larger tetras, loaches, danios, rainbowfish.
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Avoid: Angelfish, Betta, Guppies, long-finned or slow fish (they nip fins).
✅ Do’s
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Keep in groups to spread aggression.
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Provide a spacious tank with swimming room.
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Mix with active, similar-sized fish.
❌ Don’ts
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Don’t keep in small numbers (they become aggressive).
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Don’t house with long-finned or delicate fish.
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Don’t overstock the tank.
⭐ Quick Tips
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Popular, hardy, and colorful freshwater fish.
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Best in active community setups with fast swimmers.
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Fun to watch in groups – avoid slow or finny tank mates
