Photos taken at Wharf Aquatics
Photos © Sean Evans
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| Common name: | Tinfoil barb |
| Scientific name: | Barbonymus schwanenfeldii |
| Synonyms: | Puntius schwanenfeldii, Barbus schwanenfeldii, Barbodes schwanenfeldii (not valid) |
| Size: | Up to 14" (35cm). |
| Origin: | Asia: Thailand, Malayan peninsula, Borneo and Sumatra. |
| Tank setup: | A large tank (5-6ft/122-152cm required eventually) with plenty of swimming space and artificial or very robust plants. |
| Compatibility: | Not aggressive, but may eat small fish. |
| Temperature: | 22-25oC (72-77oF) |
| Water chemistry: | Fairly soft, slightly acidic preferred (pH 6.5-7), especially for breeding. |
| Feeding: | Largely herbivorous (will eat plants), but most foods accepted. |
| Sexing: | No obvious differences. |
| Breeding: | An egg scatterer. No reports of aquarium breeding, though the species has been bred commercially. |
| Comments: |
This is a very large barb, which grows quickly from the juvenile size often seen for sale. They are suitable companions for
other non-aggressive fish in large display aquaria. A similar species, Barbonymus altus, which is also sold as the Tinfoil barb, lacks the black lines
in the caudal (tail) fin.
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