Starfire Red Tiger Barb

The Starfire Red Tiger Barb is a vibrant and energetic freshwater fish known for its intense bright red body coloration accented by bold black vertical stripes. This stunning color variety of the classic Tiger Barb has become very popular among aquarists because of its striking appearance and active schooling behavior.

When kept in groups, Starfire Red Tiger Barbs create a lively display as they swim together throughout the aquarium. Their bold colors and constant movement make them an excellent addition to community aquariums and planted tanks.

Why Aquarists Love Starfire Red Tiger Barbs

• Brilliant bright red coloration with black tiger stripes
• Active schooling fish that adds movement to the aquarium
• Hardy and adaptable to many aquarium conditions
• Great for medium-sized community aquariums

Behavior & Compatibility

Starfire Red Tiger Barbs are active schooling fish that should always be kept in groups of at least 6 or more. Keeping them in larger groups helps reduce aggression and encourages natural schooling behavior.

While generally peaceful, Tiger Barbs are known for being semi-active and occasionally nippy, especially toward slow-moving fish with long fins.

Suitable tank mates include:

• Other barbs
• Danios
• Rasboras
• Rainbowfish
• Active community fish

Avoid keeping them with:

• Long-finned fish such as angelfish or bettas
• Very slow or shy species

Ideal Aquarium Setup

Starfire Red Tiger Barbs thrive in well-established aquariums with open swimming space and plants for cover.

Recommended aquarium features:

• Planted aquariums with moderate lighting
• Driftwood or rocks for structure
• Open swimming areas
• Moderate water movement

A lively aquascape helps them display their natural schooling behavior.

Diet and Feeding

Starfire Red Tiger Barbs are omnivores and are easy to feed.

Recommended foods include:

• High-quality flakes
• Small pellets
• Frozen bloodworms
• Brine shrimp
• Daphnia

Providing a varied diet helps maintain their bright coloration and overall health.

Recommended Tank Parameters

Temperature: 72 – 79°F (22 – 26°C)
pH: 6.0 – 7.5
KH: 4 – 10 dKH
Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons

Larger tanks are recommended for bigger schools.

Size Information

Average Adult Size:
1.5 – 2.5 inches (4 – 6 cm)

Typical Sale Size:
0.75 – 1.25 inches

Origin

The Starfire Red Tiger Barb is a selectively bred color variety of the Tiger Barb (Puntigrus tetrazona), a species originally native to Southeast Asia, including Indonesia and Borneo.