Perry
Favorite Answer
Substrate doesn't matter to them but the darker color substrates make them look more colorful.
noselessman
Tiger barbs stay near the top and top middle portion of the tank and substrate is not an issue. In general smaller gravel stones are easier to clean than larger ones, and darker ones bring out the best colors in the fish. but if you have a darkish background on the tank, that will bring out great color so you can get any gravel or substrate color you want and still see stunning color in the fish.