Tiger Barbs are considerably hardy fish, which means owners rarely have much concern about raising or breeding them.
Moreover, Tiger Barbs are not among the kinds of fish that demand special water features, making them an excellent choice for beginner aquarists.
The conditions of the water, i.e. pH and temperature, however, should vary depending on the species of fish you have in the tank.
Tiger Barbs, for one, being a kind of fish that doesn’t require much, will happily live in waters between 74 to 88°F, or 23 to 31°C.
pH For Tiger Barbs
As per the pH level, a range of 6.0 to 8.0 is ideal for this kind of fish in most situations.
Normally I would try to keep it at the middle level: 7.0.
There are many types of pH tester on the market for you to test the pH level of the aquarium as shown in the image below: (Low range – High Range – Wide Range)
The abovementioned range is ideal in all situations but one, when Tiger Barbs are mating and spawning.
That is because the eggs, especially after being fertilized, show better development in slightly higher pH levels.
So, if your Tiger Barbs are mating, make sure to separate the male and the female that are mating in a different tank from the school and sure the pH is not lower than 6.0 but not higher than 8.0.
As we know, the conditions of the water are as important as the conditions of the tank itself for the well-being of fish.
Tiger Barbs enjoy the eventual nibble, so it might be a good idea to have plenty of live plants, which may even serve as food, and even hiding spots.
As for the size of the tank, considering that Tiger Barbs usually prefer swimming in schools, five or six in a 20-gallon tank should be a good mark to aim for.
But there is more to say regarding the conditions of the water.
It may come as a surprise to most beginners, but fish can suffer from stress.
Yes, you heard right, stress! Just like humans, when put under uncomfortable circumstances for too long, fish can develop the characteristics of a stressed-out animal.
Tiger Barbs, despite being quite hardy fish, respond to the changes in water conditions almost instantly, and, depending on the change, the consequences may be harsh.
There have been registries of Tiger Barbs dying due to improper conditions of either the tank or the water.
That’s where temperature and pH levels become so important.
Should the water be too cold or too hot, your Tiger Barbs might immediately display a different behavior, often related to their swimming habits.
Read: Why Tiger barbs swim vertically
Unbalanced pH levels can cause the same result. In case the water gets too alkaline or too acidic, Tiger Barbs should instantly stop swimming as they normally do.
While that may be a good indicator of the conditions of the water, it is never a good idea to measure the temperature or pH by the behavior of fish.
Not only the wrong temperature and pH levels might cause your Tiger Barbs to feel stressed, but it can even lead to their death.
So, make sure your tank is always clean and that the temperature and pH levels are ideal.
