Jade Green Tiger Barb - Puntigrus tetrazona

Jade Green Tiger Barb (Puntigrus tetrazona)

The Jade Green Tiger Barb is a striking captive-bred colour form of the classic Tiger Barb, prized for its deep green to jade-black body sheen, active shoaling behaviour and bold aquarium presence. Also known as the Green Tiger Barb or Moss Green Tiger Barb, this variety has the same lively personality as the standard Tiger Barb and is best kept in a proper group to reduce fin-nipping and spread natural social behaviour. It is a hardy, energetic freshwater fish for a spacious, well-filtered aquarium with robust tank mates.

Common Name:
Jade Green Tiger Barb. Also commonly referred to as the Green Tiger Barb, Moss Green Tiger Barb, Green Sumatra Barb, Tiger Barb or Sumatra Barb.

Scientific Name (Latin):
Puntigrus tetrazona
Also widely referenced in the aquarium trade as Puntius tetrazona.

Maximum Size:
Around 6–8 cm in captivity, with some individuals capable of growing slightly larger in spacious aquariums.

Water Type:
Freshwater

Origin / Natural Habitat:
The Jade Green Tiger Barb is a captive-bred aquarium strain. The wild Tiger Barb group originates from Southeast Asia, with records from Sumatra and Borneo. In the wild, related Tiger Barb forms are associated with streams, rivers, swampy waters and vegetated habitats with moderate cover and open swimming areas.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 21–26°C
pH Range: 6.0–8.0
Hardness: soft to moderately hard water, with good adaptability if conditions remain stable

Temperament:
Semi-aggressive. Tiger Barbs are active, boisterous shoaling fish and can be fin-nippy, especially if kept in small numbers or cramped aquariums. They are best kept in larger groups so they focus their energy and hierarchy within the shoal rather than harassing tank mates.

Diet:
Omnivorous. It should be offered a varied diet including quality flake, small pellets, granules, spirulina-based foods, frozen daphnia, brineshrimp, bloodworm, mosquito larvae and occasional vegetable-based foods. A varied diet helps maintain colour, condition and active behaviour.

Minimum Tank Size:
A practical recommendation is at least 120 litres for a proper group, with a 90 cm aquarium or larger preferred due to their active swimming and social behaviour.

Behaviour & Activity:
This is a very active mid-water shoaling fish that should be kept in a group of at least 8, ideally 10 or more. In good numbers, Jade Green Tiger Barbs are more confident, display better behaviour and are less likely to target other fish. They benefit from open swimming space, planted edges, wood or rockwork for broken sight lines, good oxygenation and a secure lid.

Aquarium Category:
Semi-Aggressive
This species can work well in a robust community aquarium, but it should not be treated as a gentle nano or peaceful community fish. Suitable tank mates include other active barbs, danios, rainbowfish, loaches, larger tetras, bristlenose plecos and confident bottom-dwellers. Avoid bettas, fancy guppies, angelfish, slow gouramis, very long-finned fish, shy nano species and delicate fish that may be stressed by constant activity.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Best kept in a mature, well-filtered aquarium with clean, oxygen-rich water and regular maintenance. Group size is one of the most important care factors with Tiger Barbs; small groups are much more likely to become nippy and disruptive. The Jade Green colour form is captive-bred, so colour depth may vary between individuals, with some appearing emerald green and others darker moss-green to almost black depending on lighting and mood.

Suitable for:
Beginner to intermediate fishkeepers

Availability:
Common / occasional in trade, usually as captive-bred stock

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.