Platinum Tiger Barb

The Platinum Tiger Barb is a selectively bred colour morph of Puntigrus tetrazona in which melanophore distribution has been altered to produce a near-white metallic body with reduced or entirely absent banding — sometimes called 'ghost' banding due to the faint traces that remain. The fins retain their bold red colouration, creating a striking contrast with the pale body. Under certain lighting the body displays a subtle silver-blue metallic sheen.

Care is identical to the standard Tiger Barb: this is a hardy, energetic, semi-aggressive schooling fish that demands a group of eight or more to dilute inter-individual aggression and reduce fin-nipping behaviour toward tankmates. Water quality should be good, temperatures tropical, and the tank spacious enough for sustained schooling activity.

Feeding is effortless — the Platinum Tiger Barb accepts all standard aquarium foods including flake, micro-pellets, and frozen invertebrates. It mixes well with other Tiger Barb morphs and can be kept in a mixed-morph school for a visually striking display.

Water: 22–26°C, pH 6.0–7.5, moderate hardness (GH 5–15). Tank: 80 L minimum; planted with open swimming space; good filtration. Feeding: Omnivore; flake, micro-pellets, frozen bloodworm, daphnia, brine shrimp. Behaviour: Semi-aggressive fin-nipper; keep in groups of 8+ to redirect aggression inward. Compatibility: Best with other Tiger Barb morphs, robust danios, and larger mid-water tetras.