As you probably know, not every kind of fish can peacefully share space with Tiger Barbs.
Whether due to the different requirements the different kinds of fish may have regarding environmental aspects or even due to a lack of compatibility regarding their natural behavior.
Plecos, Clown Loach, Tetras, Mollies, and some more kinds are definitely good companions for Tiger Barbs, but that doesn’t seem to apply to all kinds.
You might want to read my personal experience sharing about the tiger barb community tank.
There are some fishes doing well with tiger barbs and some might not.
Can Tiger Barbs Live With Guppies
Guppies, for instance, don’t make good companions for Tiger Barbs and it is nothing to do with their own behavior or any problems with the conditions in the tank environment.
Actually, Guppies are an extremely calm and peaceful kind of fish.
They are also extremely easy to care for, and they will eat pretty much anything you give them.
All they seem to need is clean water and a bit of food every now and then. This makes Guppies a smart choice for beginner aquarists.
However, when it comes to mixing them with other fish, things may get tricky.
Catfish, Swordtails, Mollies, and some other also peaceful kinds of fish make great companions to Guppies and should give your aquarium an outstanding range of colors.
Tiger Barbs, however, don’t feature on this list.
Tiger Barbs are infamous for their fin-nipping behavior and, since Guppies have long and flowing fins, they turn into targets for Tiger Barbs.
Other fishes that do not compatible with tiger barbs includes angelfish and goldfish due the same reasons.
It’s true that Tiger Barbs don’t nip on fins as a means to display violence.
On the contrary, it is meant to be more of a playful nagging than an exercise of domination or anything in that sense.
However, due to the reduced size of Guppies in comparison to Tiger Barbs, the natural nipping of fins can turn into serious damage.
Tiger Barbs are also known to fight for the role of the alpha male in aquariums, whether with peers of the same kind or even with males from other kinds of fish.
Guppies are too small to constitute any sort of damage to this role due to their reduced size.
The image below compares the size between a tiger barb and guppy:
However, in different circumstances, Guppies might be in serious danger when sharing tanks with Tiger Barbs.
Whenever Tiger Barbs, and for that matter pretty much any kind of fish get angry when there’s no food for them to eat.
Some fish – and that includes Tiger Barbs – will prey on eggs, plants, and even smaller fish when starving.
So, besides the natural fin-nipping that might deal damage to your Guppies, when they are put together with Tiger Barbs, there is also the risk that they might well become food.
So, if you’re looking for companions to your Tiger Barbs, refrain from putting them together with Guppies.
There are many other kinds of fish that will add to the colorful scheme of your aquarium and will be glad to live with your playful and lively Tiger Barbs – and that’s without having to worry about becoming food.
On the other hand, in case you already own a few Guppies, go for more peaceful and less aggressive kinds of fish when choosing their companions.
