Swordtail vs Tiger Barb
Side-by-side care comparison to help you choose.
| Swordtail | Tiger Barb | |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Beginner | Intermediate |
| Adult size | 4-5 inches | 2.5-3 inches |
| Lifespan | 3-5 years | 5-7 years |
| Min tank size | 20 gallons | 20 gallons |
| Water temp | 72-82°F | 74-80°F |
| pH | 7.0-8.0 | 6.0-7.5 |
| Temperament | peaceful | semi-aggressive (fin nipping if not in large group) |
| Tank mates | Peaceful community fish like mollies, platies, tetras, corydoras. | Fast-moving fish like danios, rasboras, or larger tetras; avoid long-finned or slow fish. |
| Diet | Omnivore; feed high-quality flake or pellet daily, supplement with frozen or live foods like brine shrimp and daphnia 2-3 times per week. | Omnivorous; feed high-quality flake or pellet daily, supplemented with frozen or live foods like brine shrimp and bloodworms 2-3 times per week. |