We know that Tiger Barbs are fairly easy fish to keep.
They require very little care and almost no special aspects.
Simply give them room to swim, a few hiding spots, and make sure the tank is not overcrowded.
Tiger Barbs also have a good tolerance for water pH and temperature, so if you’re thinking about getting your first fish, they are definitely a solid option.
We also know not every fish can be put together in tanks as with their different characteristics and behaviors, the outcome may not be positive.
Read: My Tiger Barb Community Tank – Fishes That Doing Well and Not Doing Well
It is known, however, that all species of Barbs normally go together without a hassle and that this kind of fish has semi-aggressive behavior.
The reason behind the aggressiveness is that Tiger Barbs are naturally curious fish, so they tend to nibble or bite other fish just to see what happens.
So, if there are some species that shouldn’t go well in a tank of Tiger Barbs, there should also be those which will not have any problems.
For example, anglefish and goldfish is not a suitable tank mate for tiger barbs due to its long fin.
Tank Mates For Tiger Barbs
For that sake, we came up with a list of the best tank mates for Tiger Barbs.
So, if you want your beloved Tiger Barbs to enjoy their lifespan as happily as possible, check the list below and find a perfect mate for them.
1. Pictus
This 5-inch size docile and peaceful fish demands very little care and enjoy the same temperature range as Tiger Barbs.
Also, due to their nocturnal nature, they shouldn’t dispute space with your Tiger Barbs.
2. Molly
Roughly the same size as the Pictus, this highly popular kind of fish has a wide array of colors. The only thing Mollies will require is to be in a school, whether numerous or not.
So, make sure to have at least a male and three females in the tank, and that way resources won’t be a problem.
3. Pleco
Reaching 15 inches, this fish certainly won’t serve as food for your Tiger Barbs, but will definitely demand a larger tank to accommodate.
With its kind of armored scales, not even Tiger Barbs nibbling should be a problem. Plus, with all the room both species will have to swim, they probably won’t take the time to bother each other.
4. Platy Fish
Although a little smaller, which would be a problem as they could turn into food in the eyes of your Tiger Barbs, these fish have vivid and attractive colors.
Apart from that, their extra fun personality will make platy fish an outstanding companion to your Tiger Barbs.
Their “keep to themselves” mindset reduces the competition and because they are also quite hardy and easy to care for, it won’t be a problem to get the species mixed.
5. Clown Loach
Considered the most beautiful variation of loach fish in the world, this energetic and bright kind of fish add up to the fun in your tank.
Since Clown Loaches get bigger than Tiger Barbs, they definitely won’t serve as food.
However, despite the normal level of care they demand, the only aspect that has to be observed more closely is the nitrogen levels.
Also, these fish work better when in small schools, so don’t get more than five or six in the same tank.
6. Rosy Barb
Enduring a little colder water, this 6-inch fish doesn’t need much more room to swim than Tiger Barbs.
Also fond of 5 or 6 fish schools, they aren’t as energetic as Tiger Barbs which helps sharing the space in a peaceful way.
Rosy Barbs normally have longer fins than the Tiger counterparts, so it might be of good tone to keep an eye out for nibbling in the first days.
7. Swordtails
These almost hyperactive fish, however quite longer than Tiger Barbs, don’t require much more space.
What they do, on the other hand, is become the star of the aquarium environment with their constant back-and-forth swimming.
That is actually a good feature since they will probably leave the Tiger Barbs alone to mind their own business.
8. Red-Tailed Shark
The bright orange and matte blue colours of this fish make it a great asset to your aquarium. Reaching 4 to 6 inches as adults, their larger size keeps feeding instincts away from Tiger Barbs’ minds. Additionally, Red-Tailed Sharks are a bit more aggressive than Tiger Barbs so there should be no competition as long as there is enough room for both schools.
9. Black Widow Tetra
These fairly small fish are extremely hardy and an excellent choice for beginner aquarists.
Due to their easy and peaceful temper, Tetras are great companions for Tiger Barbs.
Despite their smaller size, they won’t serve as food for the Tiger Barbs. There may be some nibbling, however, as just like Tiger Barbs, Tetras also prey on long fins.
10. Zebra Danios
Reaching no more than 1.5 inches, these fish don’t require much room to swim.
Their temperature range tolerance is excellent and the care level extremely low, which means they will fit in the already easy environment of the tank as a glove.
Some of them, however, like to constantly swim, which may disrupt the peace of the tank every now and then in case there is not enough room.
Conclusion
These are the top ten best mates for Tiger Barbs and any of them should help your aquarium get more colorful and alive.
Putting together fish that go well with each other is definitely a great idea as your tank will look more like the sea with so many kinds sharing the space.
So, go ahead and get yourself some of these fish to brighten the lives of your Tiger Barbs and help them make new friends.
Depending on your level of expertise, the task may seem a bit tough at first but, considering that these fish demand very little care, you should grow used to minding the main aspects in no time.
