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Tinfoil Barb Suitable for aquarists with very large tanks are the very popular and striking Tinfoil Barbs. A stunning fish that grows to an enormous size for a barb, these guys can end up as much as 35cm (14 inches !!!)
Common Name(s) : Tinfoil Barb
Family : Cyprinidae
Genus:Barbonymus
Species :Barbonymus schwanenfeldii
Origin : Thailand, and Sumatra, Borneo, Malaysia
PH : 6.5 – 7.5
Hardness : Soft to Hard
Temperature : 18 – 28°C / 64–82°F
Maximum Size : 35cm / 13.8 inches
Lifespan : 8-10 years
Aggression Level : Not aggressive, will eat small fish when bigger (4/10)
Recommended Tank Size : 200 Litres +
Strata : Visits all areas
DESCRIPTION
Tinfoil Barbs feature a deeper body shaped appearance. They are a schooling fish and look fantastic in the aquarium swimming around together.
They have large, distinct silvery (some say shimmery) metallic scales. Their best feature though are their brightly coloured red-tipped fins, and a forked tail, characteristic of any fast-swimming fish.
The Tinfoil Barb Barbonymus schwanenfeldii (previously Puntius schwanenfeldii) is often bought in store between 5-7cm. However do be aware that they become a very large Cyprinid. Tinfoil Barb can reach a size of up to 14 inches (35 cm) in length.
They generally feature a silver colour (sometimes come in with a more golden sheen), with reflective scales that give it a tinfoil effect.
TANK SET UP
Provide rocks, large pieces of driftwood, live or fake plants etc for lots of cover
SUITABLE TANK MATES
- Angelfish
- Dwarf Cichlids
- Bristlenose
- Corydoras
- Siamese Flying Fox
- Loaches
- Mollies
- Mild-mannered Cichlids
- Sharks
- Silver Dollars
- Snails
- Swordtails
DIET
Herbivores – Flakes, Pellets, Vegetables
SEXING AND BREEDING
Sexing Tinfoil Barbs just on appearance is near impossible. There is VERY little chance of breeding these in your home aquarium – all reports point to that they might a vast body of water to successfully spawn the more than 1000 eggs they scatter.
There is a very well written and detailed article HERE if you want to read up on how others have successfully spawned these guys in captivity.
OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION
Tinfoil Barbs do grow quite quickly – they share a common trait of having exceptional appetites.