Barbs are active, colourful freshwater fish that bring movement and energy to the aquarium. From peaceful Cherry Barbs to bold Tiger Barbs, they are excellent schooling fish for aquarists who enjoy lively community tanks.

Why You'll Love Barbs

• Active schooling fish with plenty of personality
• Great colour varieties including cherry, rosy, tiger, green and albino forms
• Hardy and suitable for established community aquariums
• Excellent mid-water movement for planted and display tanks
• Best kept in groups for natural behaviour and reduced fin-nipping

Creating the Ideal Home

Tank Size

Most smaller barb species do well in aquariums from 60 litres and up. Larger or more active species such as Tiger Barbs are better suited to larger tanks with open swimming space.

Temperature

Most barbs thrive between 22–27°C, depending on the species. Keep temperatures stable and avoid sudden changes.

Water Quality

• Ammonia: 0 ppm
• Nitrite: 0 ppm
• Nitrate: ideally below 20 ppm
• pH: 6.5–7.8

Barbs are generally hardy, but they still need a fully cycled aquarium, regular water changes and stable water conditions.

Filtration

Use quality filtration with moderate flow. Barbs are active swimmers and appreciate clean, well-oxygenated water.

Aquascaping

A planted aquarium with open swimming space works well. Use plants, driftwood and rocks around the edges while leaving the centre open for schooling behaviour.

Feeding

Barbs are enthusiastic eaters and do best with a varied diet.

• Premium tropical flakes
• Small pellets
• Frozen bloodworms
• Brine shrimp
• Daphnia
• Live foods when available

A varied diet helps support strong colour, growth and overall health.

Suitable Tank Mates

Choose tank mates carefully. Peaceful barbs like Cherry Barbs are easier community fish, while Tiger Barbs are more boisterous and should be kept in larger groups.

• Danios
• Rainbowfish
• Larger Tetras
• Corydoras
• Loaches
• Plecos and Bristlenose
• Peaceful Gouramis, depending on barb species

Avoid slow-moving long-fin fish such as fancy guppies, bettas and angelfish with nippy barb species like Tiger Barbs.

Popular Barb Species

• Cherry Barb
• Albino Cherry Barb
• Longfin Cherry Barb
• Tiger Barb
• Albino Tiger Barb
• Moss Green Tiger Barb
• Rosy Barb
• Black Ruby Barb
• Checkered Barb

Barbs FAQs

Are barbs easy to keep?

Yes, most barbs are hardy and suitable for established aquariums. The main thing is choosing the right species for your tank size and tank mates.

How many barbs should I keep?

Barbs should usually be kept in groups of at least six. Larger groups help them feel secure and reduce chasing or fin-nipping behaviour.

Are Tiger Barbs aggressive?

Tiger Barbs can be nippy, especially in small groups. Keep them in larger schools and avoid slow, long-finned tank mates.

Can barbs live with shrimp?

Adult shrimp may survive with some smaller peaceful barbs, but baby shrimp are likely to be eaten. For shrimp breeding tanks, barbs are not the safest choice.

Do barbs need plants?

Plants are not essential, but they help create cover, reduce stress and make the aquarium look more natural.