Tinfoil Barb

Barbonymus Schwanenfeldii

So named because of their shiny appearance the tinfoil barb is an eye catching species. It has metallic skin underneath it's small scales that reflect flashes of light as the fish flits around the tank. Its fins are bright red with some black eccents.

This fish grows very large over it's 8 year lifespan. Individuals have grown to 35 cm in length which surprises many who are more familiar with smaller barbs. They are often purchased without knowing the full potential for a tinfoil barb's size.

Feeding Tinfoil Barbs

These fish are not picky eater when it comes to their diet. Wild tinfoil barbs mainly eat plants but also feed on small worms, insects and crustaceans. In the aquarium lots of green food such as spirulina algae and blanched vegetables should be offered along with tropical flake and the occasional  frozen or live foods.

Tinfoil Barb Care

These are tropical fish that require a heater in most places. Temperature is best kept in the range of 22 to 25 degrees though some are found above this temperature in the wild. Water should be mildly acid with a medium level of hardness in the 10 dH range.

Tinfoil Barbs In Community Tanks

These fish do not like to be kept alone. A school of tinfoil barbs needs to be kept to let the individuals feel at ease with their surroundings. Other fish can also live with tinfoil barbs if they are of a similar size. Smaller fish may be predated on by this species. Larger fish should always be peaceful to keep and reccomended for community tanks.

Profile Of The Tinfoil Barb

Family - Cyprinidae

Size - Can grow to a massive 35 cm

Fish Origin - Asian - Thailand, Borneo, Malaysia

Water - PH 6.5 to 7 and able to be kept in hard water

Temperature - Tinfoil barb temperature should be 22 - 25 degrees

Feeding - Omnivore that eats mainly plants in the wild

Sexing - Not obvious with regard to sex differences.

Breeding - Egg layer

Aquarium - Provide a large tank to meet their potential size

Video Of Some Medium Sized Tinfoil Barbs

Tinfoil Barb Breeding

Tinfoil barbs are not an easy fish to reproduce. They require very large enclosures such as public aquariums or outdoor pools. For this reason very little is known about it's breeding. They do produce 1000's of eggs and would be expected to be an egg scatterer like other barbs.

Other Cyprinids

Koi | Goldfish | White Cloud Mountain Minnow | Zebra Danio | Tinfoil Barb

Aquarium Fish