the below are non-exhaustive, so please take it as a general guideline ;
1. How to differentiate between the many types of tigers
Below is a diagram on how to differentiate:
Please note that NGT (New Guinea Tiger) is not included in the picture. However, they are easily identifiable by their black fuzzy stripes and golden base. This is only a general guide, however like I've said before, there are extreme cases where there are 4 striped STs and 3 striped ITs. Other important factors on how to distinguish between IT and ST (I go for the most common tigers):
A. Body shape (ST more triangular, IT more rectangular)
B. Eyes (ST smaller eyes, IT bigger eyes)
C. Body stripes (ST 3 thick stripes, IT 4 thinner stripes)
D. Tail pattern (as in the diagram shown above)
2. How to choose an ST/IT
This is also the next most commonly asked question. When choosing, try to go for the more stable ones cos their chances of becoming stable once back in your tank are higher. However, that doesn't mean that if you do go for those not stable ones, it will remain forever like that in your tank. Also, go for those actively swimming around ones rather than those lying in a corner or 'parking' there. Do NOT choose those with glazed look in their eyes, cos even though it is actively swimming around, they may die anytime. Other special markings/stripe patterns like eg. forked, dotted or weird types would very much depend on individual preferences. There is no such thing as having a weird pattern one will command a higher resale price.
3. How to house them after buying
After buying comes the next step: How to house them. Tigers generally can grow quite fast if proper care and food is given to them. So, as a general measure, you will need at least a 3 feet tank to house them in. They can grow in excess of 1 feet, so you will definitely need to upgrade your tank in future if you are housing a few of them in the same tank. A proper filtration system would help greatly in their growth rate too. A bare tank is usually recommended as they can produce quite a lot of waste, and is much easier to maintain also. However, if you are creative enough, you can choose to landscape your tank so that it looks more presentable. The only drawback of this is that you will need more time to maintain the plants, gravel etc.
4. Water conditions
Tigers generally thrives best in waters of pH 7.0-7.5. However, they are hardy creatures, so even in slightly acidic or alkaline waters, they will still do well. Be careful not to let your pH fall too acidic (below 5.5) or too alkaline (more than 8.5). Reason being beneficial bacteria (BBs) will all be wiped out and your tank will be thrown into havoc as your ammonia and nitrate levels go haywire. pH too alkaline, your tigers will contract cloudy eyes disease. You will need to monitor your water parameters (eg. pH, ammonia, nitrate and nitrite) on a weekly basis to ensure optimal living condtions for them to thrive in.
A heater is actually not necessary due to Singapore's hot weather all year round, but if your tank is in an air-conditioned room, you will need one. White spots is a common problem in those tanks with fluctuating water temperatures. A heater installed would help to eliminate this. Tigers generally thrives best in temperatures between 24-28 degrees celsius.
5. Food/Diet
As tigers originally came from the wild, therefore their most natural food in their environment would be live fishes. However, as more and more tigers are farm bred nowadays, they can be made to accept other kinds of food like market prawns, frozen bloodworms, mealworms, superworms, chicken meat and even pellets. A mixture in diet for them would be good.
As to the frequency of feeding them, it's entirely up to the individual. If you can afford it, you can feed them twice a day. Otherwise once a day is good enough cos these creatures eat like there's no tomorrow!
6. How to make them stable
I guess this must be the most common problem for all tiger keepers. It is really unsightly to see your tigers all black, and at the same time it's even more frustrating when you cannot get to enjoy their true beauty. Tigers, in my opinion, are very unique and challenging fishes to keep. It is a challenge as you need to find out the optimum conditions for them to show their beauty, and this is no mean feat. Unlike other fishes, they are not easily pacified by just good food and good water conditions only. Below are a few factors which you have to play around with in order to achieve a tankful of goldie babes:
A. Tank size (the bigger, the better)
B. Water conditions (as above)
C. Lighting (generally tigers don't do well under strong lighting)
D. Diet (having a balanced diet also helps)
E. Tankmates (Sometimes help them to settle down)
F. Other external factors like an extra powerhead to generate extra current for them to swim against, air disk to improve aeration in your water and background of your tank.
The above list is of course non-exhaustive, there are 101 factors which you will come across as you go along. There is no right or wrong way about it, you will have go by trial and error to achieve that winning combination.
7. How to have a successful community tank
A lot of brothers here actually have more than 2 tigers in a tank, and some with even more. They also come across situations where their tigers are chasing and flaring within the same tank. The most common question they ask is : How to achieve a successful comm tank?
As in every other comm tank (besides tigers), there will always be minor fights and chasing around, resulting in injuries like torn tails, split fins, bite and scratch marks on the body etc. However, it is nothing to worry about if the injuries aren't too serious. All the above injuries are actually small ones which can recover quite fast. You have to be mentally prepared that these will happen if you intend to keep a comm tank of tigers. So far I have not heard of tigers actually killing one another, so it should be quite safe. However, a lot of care and effort goes into a successful comm tank too, such as introduction of other tankmates, having a powerhead, ensuring that there's a fair share of food going round etc. You will discover more as you go along. Below are some tankmates which go well with tigers:
A. Freshwater stingrays
B. Birchirs
C. Arowanas etc.
As tigers are known to be lazy eaters, bottom dwellers like rays and birchirs are excellent for cleaning up the balance food at the base of the tank after every feeding session. This will save you a lot of trouble as you don't need to scoop up all the uneaten food and maintenance will not be a headache too.
The above is what I have learnt so far from tiger experts and seniors here. Of course, there are still many other things I have yet to learn, so please pardon me if the above info is lacking in any way. Hope that this will go a long way in answering brothers' questions here, especially those who are new to this hobby and intend to take up the challenge of rearing them.
Courtesy of IORI