Some fishkeeping enthusiasts have suggested that Tiger barbs are actually Puntius anchisporus and not Puntius tetrazona. Fish taxonomist Dr Heok Hee Ng explains what he thinks based on his examinations of the fish.
Some have suggested that aquarium Tiger barbs may be Puntius anchisporus and not Puntius tetrazona, as currently believed.
I have not investigated this in detail but, as part of my job at the University of Singapore, I have encountered feral populations of Tiger barbs in Singapore that I had to identify.
After looking at some under a microscope, I concluded that they were P. tetrazona not P. anchisporus based on their lateral line morphology.
This item was first published in the September 2009 issue of Practical Fishkeeping magazine. It may not be reproduced without written permission.