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Tinfoil Barb
Barbonymus schwanenfeldii
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii
📍 Southeast Asia
A large, active barb from Southeast Asia that can reach 14 inches, featuring a bright silver-gold body with red fins — spectacular but requiring a tank of 125+ gallons for a single adult and proportionally larger for the school of 5+ it needs. It will consume plants and eat smaller tankmates, so it is best kept in a species or large fish community tank.
Care Guide
Diet
Tinfoil barbs are omnivorous and require a varied diet of high-quality flake foods, sinking pellets, and regular supplements of frozen foods like brine shrimp, bloodworms, and daphnia. Feed once daily in amounts they can consume within 2-3 minutes. Include vegetable matter such as blanched spinach or algae wafers 2-3 times weekly, as they will nibble live plants.
Behavior
Tinfoil barbs are highly active, schooling fish that require constant movement and interaction with their group. They are social and peaceful with similarly-sized fish but will consume smaller tankmates and uproot plants due to their size and foraging behavior. They are best kept in groups of 5 or more to reduce stress and aggressive fin-nipping.
Breeding
Breeding tinfoil barbs in captivity is extremely difficult and rarely achieved in home aquariums. They require very large tanks (200+ gallons), specific water conditions, and seasonal temperature fluctuations to trigger spawning. Commercial breeding occurs in Southeast Asia under specialized conditions; hobbyists should not expect success.
Tank Mates
Similar size, peaceful temperament, and mid-water swimming habits make them ideal companions
Comparable size and activity level; both are large, active barbs that thrive in similar conditions
Large enough to avoid predation and occupies bottom zone; helps with algae control
Peaceful cichlid of adequate size; prefers similar warm water temperatures
Large, peaceful schooling fish with similar size and water requirements; excellent long-term companion
Common Diseases
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots on body and fins, flashing against objects, rapid breathing, lethargy
Raise temperature to 28-30°C, perform daily 25% water changes, use ich medication (malachite green or formalin-based treatments) following package directions for 7-10 days
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fin edges, discoloration at fin margins, progressive fin loss
Improve water quality with frequent water changes, reduce stocking density, treat with antibacterial medication or salt baths (1 teaspoon per gallon for 15 minutes daily)
Bacterial Infection
Open sores, red streaks on body, swollen areas, loss of appetite, cloudy eyes
Perform 50% water change immediately, maintain pristine water conditions, treat with broad-spectrum antibiotic medication for 7-10 days
Parasitic Infection (Anchor Worms, Lice)
Visible parasites on body, excessive scratching, inflammation at attachment sites, lethargy
Remove visible parasites with tweezers if possible, treat with anti-parasitic medication, perform frequent water changes, quarantine affected fish
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Water it likes
- ph
- 6.5–7.5
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- temperature
- 72–82°F (22–28°C)