Green Long Fin Tiger Barb - Puntius tetrazona var

Green Long Fin Tiger Barb (Puntigrus tetrazona var.)

The Green Long Fin Tiger Barb is a striking captive-bred form of the Tiger Barb, admired for its metallic green body colour, extended flowing fins and lively shoaling behaviour. This active freshwater barb is best suited to mature community aquariums with plenty of swimming space, robust tankmates and a proper group. Although hardy and colourful, it is a fast-moving species and should not be kept with timid fish or delicate long-finned tankmates.

Common Name:
Green Long Fin Tiger Barb, Long Fin Green Tiger Barb, Green Tiger Barb, Moss Green Tiger Barb, Longfin Tiger Barb

Scientific Name (Latin):
Puntigrus tetrazona var.

Older / Trade Name:
Puntius tetrazona, Barbus tetrazona, Capoeta tetrazona

Strain / Form:
Green Long Fin captive-bred colour and fin form

Maximum Size:
Approximately 6–7 cm

Water Type:
Freshwater

Origin / Natural Habitat:
Wild Tiger Barbs are associated with Southeast Asia, particularly Sumatra, where they occur in freshwater streams, rivers and swampy forest waters.

The Green Long Fin Tiger Barb is a captive-bred aquarium strain rather than a wild colour form.

In the aquarium, it does best in a mature setup with open swimming space, plants around the sides or background, moderate flow and clear, stable water.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 20–26°C
pH Range: 6.0–8.0
Hardness: Soft to moderately hard
Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: Kept low and stable
Flow: Gentle to moderate preferred

Temperament:
Semi-aggressive / Active

Green Long Fin Tiger Barbs are lively shoaling fish and can be nippy, especially when kept in too small a group.

They should be kept in groups so natural chasing and dominance behaviour is spread within the shoal.

Long-finned forms should still be kept away from known fin-nippers, as their extended fins can be damaged.

Diet:
Omnivore / Active Community Diet

Green Long Fin Tiger Barbs are easy to feed and accept a wide range of foods.

Offer quality tropical flakes, small pellets, granules and colour-enhancing foods as the staple diet.

Supplement with frozen or live foods such as bloodworm, brineshrimp, daphnia, mosquito larvae and cyclops.

Include some vegetable-based or spirulina foods to support digestion and overall condition.

Minimum Tank Size:
Approximately 90–120 litres for a proper group

A longer aquarium is preferred, as Tiger Barbs are active swimmers.

Larger aquariums are recommended for bigger groups or mixed semi-aggressive community setups.

Behaviour & Activity:
The Green Long Fin Tiger Barb is an energetic midwater fish that spends much of the day swimming, displaying and chasing within the group.

When kept in good numbers, the shoal usually focuses on its own social behaviour rather than bothering other fish.

The long fins give this form a more elegant appearance, but the fish remains active and needs space.

Community Suitability:
Semi-Aggressive Community Fish

The Green Long Fin Tiger Barb is suitable for active community aquariums with robust tankmates.

Suitable tankmates include other Tiger Barbs, larger danios, peaceful barbs, rainbowfish, robust rasboras, bristlenose plecos, corydoras with care, loaches and other active fish that can handle their speed.

Avoid male Bettas, fancy guppies, angelfish, gouramis with trailing fins, very timid nano fish, slow-moving fish and delicate long-finned species.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Keep this species in a group of at least 6, with 8–10 or more strongly preferred.

A larger group helps reduce fin-nipping and spreads chasing behaviour.

Provide open swimming space, plant cover and visual breaks.

Avoid cramped aquariums, as poor space and small group sizes can increase aggression.

Do not mix with delicate long-finned fish, as Tiger Barbs are naturally curious and may nip fins.

The long-fin strain should also be kept away from aggressive fin-nippers.

Stable water quality, regular water changes and a varied diet will help maintain colour, fin quality and overall health.

Suitable for:
Beginner to intermediate

Availability:
Common to occasional, depending on supplier and colour strain.

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.