Glofish tiger barbs are a colorful and vibrant species. They are a genetically modified version of normal tiger barbs, which are some of the most popular fish species on the market. This article will explain everything you need to know about how to care for a tiger barb glofish.
Glofish tiger barb care
The key to caring for a glofish tiger barb is making sure they have the right tank size, water chemistry, food, and tank mates.
Luckily, glofish tiger barbs are a very hardy species and are good at surviving tough conditions. This makes them a great fish for beginners.
Glofish tiger barb tank size
You should keep your glofish tiger barbs in a tank that is at least 20 gallons. However, if you have more than 10 fish in your tank, I suggest getting a tank of at least 30 gallons.
Glofish tiger barbs require a lot of space because they are big swimmers. They are constantly darting through the tank, swimming around and chasing each other. Therefore, it is important that they have enough space to do this.
They also typically grow up to around 3 inches, so it is important that they have a enough space to swim without bumping into each other.
Lastly, I also suggest that you include a lot of ornaments and decorations in your tank. Preferably you should have stuff that your barbs can hide in or swim through. Live plants are also a great addition to your tank. You can learn more in my article on the best glofish tank decor.
Another easy way to liven up your tank is to use a glofish background.
Glofish tiger barb water chemistry
When it comes to the temperature, glofish tiger barbs prefer water that is between 74 and 80 degrees fahrenheight. You will most likely need a heater in your fish tank in order to maintain this temperature. You should regularly check the temperature of your tank to make sure it is within the healthy range.
They also like a neutral pH level between 6 and 8. I suggest using test strips to test your water’s ph every couple of weeks to ensure your barbs are living in a healthy environment.
It is important to do regular water changes to ensure that your tank’s water is healthy. I suggest doing a 20% water change every 2 to 3 weeks.
Lastly, you will need a strong water filter in your barb’s tank to help break down and dilute any waste and toxic chemicals.
Glofish tiger barb diet
Luckily, glofish tiger barbs are not picky eaters. They will likely pounce on anything that you put in their tank.
I suggest that you feed your glofish tiger barb a high-quality pellet or flake fish food. Sometimes they will eat the food directly off the top of the water, while other times they will wait for it to reach the bottom.
If you want to make them very happy, you can feed them some frozen or live foods. Some good options include brine shrimp and bloodworms.
You can also feed small pieces of steamed vegetables to your fish. However, I only recommend this if they are refusing to eat the other options you give them.
It is very important that you feed your glofish tiger barb a healthy diet. Their diet helps keep them keep their vibrant, bright colors. If they don’t get the proper nutrients, their color will start to fade.
I advise against feeding goldfish food to your glofish.
Glofish tiger barb tank mates
It is important for both your glofish tiger barbs and the other fish that you have that you choose the proper tank mates. Glofish tiger barbs are known for being a little aggressive, so it might be best to put them with dwelling fish. It is common for them to chase each other around the tank.
However, you can certainly put your glofish tiger barb in the same tank as other glofish. I just recommend that you keep a close eye on them for the first couple of days. If you notice your glofish attacking each other, you might need another tank.
Glofish tiger barbs can sometimes nip each other’s fins. If you notice your barb biting other fish’s fins, you might need a bigger tank. Another option would be to add more décor and hiding places.
Read more in my guide on the best tankmates for glofish.
How long do glofish tiger barbs live?
If they are kept in healthy tank conditions, glofish tiger barbs can easily live up to 7 years. On average, they typically live for up to 5 years.
When one of your barbs dies, you should remove them from the tank immediately. If their body starts to decay, it can release harmful chemicals into the water.
In the case that you have multiple barbs die in a short amount of time, you should do a complete water change.