Alternative Name
Scientific Name: Barbus tetrazona
Basic Info
The Albino Tiger Barb is a relatively small fish. It will have about five white, slightly colored stripes. Albino Tiger Barbs will show the most coloration at their tips, with some reddish tints. It will only reach a size of two to three inches at maturity. Albino Tiger Barbs have alternating color and black vertical strips. Males, however, will have more of a redder than orange tint, especially in the nose and fin areas.
Health
Albino Tiger Barbs do not require any special attention and are rather hardy. They need their water to be between 68 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit. Albino Tiger Barbs do best in slightly acidic water, with a pH in the range of six to seven. They like to eat live and frozen food, such as: blood worms, glass worms, brine shrimp, plankton, daphnia and vegetables. They will eat flake and freeze dried foods, as well.
Breeding
Albino Tiger Barbs are egg layers. The coloring of the male becomes brighter during the spawning period and the female becomes larger.
Habitat
Fresh water fish
Behavior
Albino Tiger Barbs can add zest and life to any aquarium. This extremely active fish will keep an onlooker captivated for hours. They are especially pleasant when in schools of five or more. Albino Tiger Barbs are also hardy and easy to take care of, which makes them great for beginners, or a low maintenance tank.
Don't let the name Albino Tiger Barb fool you. They are not a very aggressive fish. Tiger Barbs get their name from their body strips, which resemble those of a Tiger. They should be kept in schools. A lone Albino Tiger Barb will probably become overly aggressive towards its tank mates. Also, Albino Tiger Barbs might nip at other, less active fish, such as Angle Fish. Albino Tiger Barbs enjoy plenty of space, and decorations such as driftwood and rocks. They will not bother live plants.
Origin
Southeast Asia
History
Tiger Barbs, or the Barbus tetrazona, are originally found in Borneo, Indonesia, Sumatra and Thailand. The Albino Tiger Barb is probably a man made hybrid, as no known Albinos have been found in the wild.
Common Foods
N/A