Tinfoil barb (Barbonymus schwanenfeldii)

Scientific name: Barbonymus schwanenfeldii Bleeker, 1853

Tinfoil barb (Barbonymus schwanenfeldii)
Photo: https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?SpeciesID=633

The Tinfoil barb (Barbonymus schwanenfeldii) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows to about 35 cm (14 in). It is easy to keep and aggressive and needs a tank of at least 475 L (125 US gal), water at 21–25°C (70–77°F) and a pH of 6.0–7.7. Native range: Asia, Rivers and Lake in Borneo, Sumatra and Thailand.

Tinfoil barb care at a glance

Care level
Easy
Temperament
Aggressive
Adult size
35 cm (14 in)
Minimum tank
475 L (125 US gal)
Temperature
21–25°C (70–77°F)
pH
6.0–7.7
Hardness
2–10 dGH (36–178 ppm)
Diet
Omnivore. Accepts flakes, pellets and frozen foods.

Biology

Dorsal spines: 3; Dorsal soft rays: 8; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 5. Distinguished from other species of the genus in having a red dorsal fin with a black blotch at the tip, red pectoral, pelvic and anal fins, red caudal fin with white margin and a black submarginal stripe along each lobe, and 8 scale rows between dorsal-fin origin and lateral line. Large individuals silvery or golden yellow in life with its dorsal fin red and caudal fin orange or blood-red.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Barbonymus schwanenfeldii
Family
Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps)
Order
Cypriniformes (Carps)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
35.0
Common length
20.0
Environment
Freshwater;; pH range: 6.5 - 7.0; dH range: ? - 10 benthopelagic; potamodromous
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Asia: Mekong and Chao Phraya basins, Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: subsistence fisheries; aquaculture: commercial; aquarium: commercial; bait: occasionally
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Assuming tm=1; Fec=8,000-16,000)

More barbs, danios & rasboras

See all barbs, danios & rasboras

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.

Last updated