Jade Tiger Barb 4cm

Jade Tiger Barb

Even though we already have regular, long-fin, gold, and platinum tiger barbs, the art of captive breeding brings another colour variation of this beloved fish to the list. The jade tiger barb is one of the newest entries and offers a bright new take on the standard tiger barb, whilst almost looking like a totally different species. Aside from their metallic green colour, the care requirements are exactly the same as any of the other colour variations, which means that you could totally have a jelly bean type assortment of tiger barb colours in your aquarium.

The jade tiger barbs are easily recognised by their metallic light green body colour. Created by crossing the mossy green and platinum tiger barb, these fish carry the best of both worlds, with a platinum sheen over the minty jade green. Along with orange tips on the darker fins, these fish look like gems in the aquarium. They will also have a great schooling behaviour and get larger than most common tetras, making them a great contender for larger community systems.

Tiger barbs are also somewhat easily bred in the home aquarium, which is why there always seems to be a new and crazy colour variation of this species. Though there are no immediate visually distinguishing features between males and females, the key things to note are that female tiger barbs are generally more plump in comparison to males. Females can be conditioned to develop eggs by feeding them some protein-rich foods like live brine shrimp. Females will then scatter eggs in the aquarium, which males follow and fertilise. Aquarists often breed these fish in dedicated aquariums with spacing mops that collect the eggs in their fibres.

Tank Recommendations for Jade Tiger Barb

Tiger barbs, in general, are very active fish, so they do need an aquarium with a minimum volume of 60 litres. This can house a school of around 6 individual fish; however, a larger aquarium will always be better as jade tiger barbs reach around 7 cm. Since tiger barbs are a midwater-dwelling fish, the substrate of our hardscape choices is not of major concern. Giving them tall pieces of driftwood and plants they can swim around will look quite nice, but a lot of creative liberty can be taken to highlight this fish.

Suitable Tank Buddies

Tiger barbs have developed to name to be fairly nippy aquarium fish which can damage the fins of other aquarium fish by constantly nipping at them. This is only an issue if one or two tiger barbs are kept or there is not enough space provided for the barbs along with other tank mates. If you are looking to be on the safer side, it would be best to avoid fish with long flowing fins, like angelfish, or slow-moving fish like discus is best. Other than that, tiger barbs are a great active addition to a tropical community aquarium.

Usually Compatible

Apistogramma, Corydoras, plecos, dwarf cichlids, larger body tetras, torpedo barbs, and a wide range of peaceful community aquarium fish that exceed the 5-6 cm size. Larger peaceful cichlids like Uaru or severums can also be considered.

Sometimes Compatible

Nano aquarium species such as endlers or guppies, as well as neon tetras. Also, larger semi-aggressive species such as convict cichlids, fire mouths, and kribensis. Also fish with long flowing fins like angel fish or threadfin acaras.

Rarely Compatible

Larger cichlids such as oscars, jaguar cichlids, African cichlids, and shrimp.

Feeding your Jade Tiger Barbs

Jade tiger barbs, like most common tropical aquarium fish, are very easy to feed. They should be given a good-quality, high-protein pellet or flake food. They can also happily eat both floating and sinking pellets, but a slow-sinking pellet would offer the best of both worlds. This should also be supplemented with frozen foods such as black worms, blood worms, or brine shrimp to bring out optimal health and colours in the fish.