Albino Tiger Barb (Puntigrus tetrazona) 3cm

The Albino Tiger Barb (Puntigrus tetrazona) is a highly energetic, captive-bred color morph of the traditional Tiger Barb. They are famous for their striking cream-and-gold bodies, faint peach or white vertical stripes, bright red fins, and distinct pink eyes.

Quick Overview

Care Level: Easy

Temperament: Semi-aggressive and playful (known fin-nippers)

Adult Size: 2.5 to 3 inches (6 to 7.5 cm)

Lifespan: 5 to 7 years (up to 10 with optimal care)

Diet: Omnivore

Managing the "Schooling" Behavior

Albino Tiger Barbs are notorious fin-nippers. The absolute best way to manage this behavior is to keep them in a school of at least 6 to 10 fish. When kept in a large group, they will establish a natural pecking order and focus their playful aggression entirely on each other, leaving their tankmates alone. Keeping them in pairs or trios will cause them to become highly stressed and aggressive toward other fish.

Tank Setup & Water Parameters

These fish are incredibly active, fast swimmers that utilize every level of the aquarium.

Minimum Tank Size: 20 to 30 gallons.

Layout: Use a dark substrate to make their pale gold colors pop. Provide plenty of live plants (like Java Fern or Anubias) around the edges, but preserve a wide, open area in the center for swimming.

Temperature: 72°F to 82°F (22°C to 28°C).

pH Range: 6.0 to 7.5.Hardness: Soft to moderate.

Diet and Feeding

Albino Tiger Barbs are enthusiastic eaters and are not picky. They require a balanced diet of high-quality flake food or micro-pellets as their daily base. You should supplement this 2–3 times a week with frozen or live proteins like bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia to bring out their brightest red and gold coloration.