Barbs for Sale
Shop our selection of freshwater barbs, the active, hardy schooling fish that bring nonstop energy and color to a community aquarium. Barbs are fast, playful, and wonderfully easy to keep, which makes them a favorite for both beginners and experienced hobbyists who want a lively, dynamic tank. At Tropical Treasures in Cheyenne we hand-select healthy, well-conditioned barbs so you bring home fish that are active and ready to school.
Barbs belong to the cyprinid family alongside danios and rasboras, and like their relatives they're happiest in groups. Keep them in numbers and you'll see better color, more natural behavior, and far less fin-nipping.
Popular Barb Varieties
Our barb selection rotates with each shipment, but you'll frequently find favorites like:
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Cherry barbs — peaceful, bright-red, and one of the most community-friendly barbs.
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Tiger & albino tiger barbs — bold, fast schoolers best kept in larger groups.
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Odessa & black ruby barbs — striking color that intensifies as they mature.
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Roseline (Denison) sharks & danios — active torpedo-shaped cyprinids that love current.
For more on keeping active schoolers happy, see our guide to the best schooling fish for freshwater aquariums.
Barb Care Tips
Barbs are hardy and adaptable, but they still need a fully cycled, stable aquarium with good filtration and plenty of swimming room. Keep them in groups of six or more of the same species to spread out their energy and reduce nipping. They appreciate open water for swimming along with live plants and driftwood for cover. Feed a varied diet of quality flakes, micro pellets, and frozen foods, and keep up with regular water changes to keep their color vivid.
Best Tank Mates for Barbs
Peaceful barbs like cherry barbs mix well with most community fish, including tetras, rasboras, corydoras catfish, and peaceful loaches. More boisterous species like tiger barbs do best with other fast, robust fish and should be kept away from long-finned tankmates such as fancy guppies or bettas, which can become targets for fin-nipping.
FAQ: Barbs
Do barbs nip fins? Some do, especially tiger barbs kept in small groups. Keeping them in larger schools of six or more spreads out their energy and greatly reduces nipping. Avoid pairing them with slow, long-finned fish.
How many barbs should I keep together? At least six of the same species. Larger groups school more tightly, show better color, and behave more naturally.
Are barbs good for beginners? Yes. They're hardy, forgiving, and active, which makes them a great choice once your tank is cycled. Cherry barbs are an especially peaceful pick for community tanks.
What size tank do barbs need? A 20-gallon or larger tank suits most barb species and gives a proper school room to swim. Faster species like tiger barbs especially appreciate the extra length.
Stop by Tropical Treasures in Cheyenne or call us at 307-369-1118 and we'll help you pick the right barbs for your tank size and community. We're always happy to talk schooling fish before you buy.
