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Golden Tinfoil BarbYellow Tinfoil BarbFamily: Cyprinidae Barbonymus schwanenfeldiiPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy P. PonichLatest Reader Comment - See More Hello, my name is mark and I have two tin foils myself. My comment is, I'm curious to know the sexes of my barbs. I have an idea but, need professional knowledge. I... (more) markanthony The Goldent Tinfoil Barb is an impressive fish for a large public show aquarium, though at 14 inches in length, it is a bit too big for most home aquaria!Golden Tinfoil Barb Contents The Golden Tinfoil Barb is a color variety of the Tinfoil Barb. Though it is easy to keep it will grow rapidly. reaching an intimidating size of up to 14 inches (35 cm) in length. This fish and all the Tinfoil Barb varieties are considered too large for most aquariums. Though they are generally peaceful they will eat smaller fish, so are not always suitable for a community aquarium. They can be kept with cichlids. An aquarium best suited to this fish would be large and roomy, with a fine gravel bottom, and dense plantings along the edges. They like to burrow so be sure to use hardy plants. Along with the Golden Tinfoil barb, there are also several other color varieties of the Tinfoil Barb being imported. The other most familiar color more is the Albino Tinfoil Barb. Other varieties include glass, blue, pink, purple, and orange and then there are some that are further distinguished by varying fin or eye colors. For more Information on keeping this fish see: |
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Habitat: Distribution / Background
The Golden Tinfoil Barb is a captive bred color morph of the Tinfoil Barb.The Tinfoil Barb was originally described by Pieter Bleeker in 1853 as Barbus schwanenfeldii but is now described as Barbonymus schwanenfeldii. They are found in Southeast Asia; Thailand, Malayan Peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo. They inhabit large waterways; rivers, streams, canals, ditches and will enter flooded fields.
- Scientific Name: Barbonymus schwanenfeldii
- Social Grouping: Varies - Can be solitary or kept in pairs and groups.
- IUCN Red List: NE - Not Evaluated or not listed - There are no wild populations of this color morph.
In its natural coloration a large adult Golden Tinfoil Barb has a golden or yellow body. The fins tend to be transluscent, also with a golden cast. The reds and blacks of the Tinfoil Barb are absent.
The Tinfoil Barb is imported in several other varieties as well. These include the familiar albino color form along with a glass variety. There are also blue, pink, purple, and orange color forms. Sometimes a specimen may be further destinguished as having a red or yellow tail, having black eyes, or a combination of these traits.
- Maximum Size: 14.0 inches (35.56 cm) - The aquarist should note two things, first that this fish is often sold at a very small size with little information as to the ultimate size of this fish. This fish is quite the giant and it grows quickly so it is absolutely unsuitable for all but the largest of tanks. Secondly, this species is often subjected to various forms of artificial dyeing to produce unaturally gaudy colouration. These processes are very damaging to the fish and severly shorten their lifespans.
- Aquarium Hardiness: Moderately hardy
- Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate - This is no fish for the average aquarium due to its massive size when fully grown.
Since they are omnivorous, the Golden Tinfoil Barb will generally eat all kinds of live, fresh, and flake foods. To keep a good balance give them a high quality flake food everyday. Even though they like proteins, they need lots of vegetable foods. Vegetable substitutes suggested for these fish in the aquarium are cooked lettuce, spinach, or oatmeal.
- Diet Type: Omnivore
- Flake Food: Yes - This fish appreciates nourishment supplemented with vegetables as well as live foods as opposed to a purely processed diet.
- Tablet Pellet: Yes
- Live foods (fishes, shrimps, worms): Some of Diet
- Vegetable Food: Some of Diet
- Meaty Food: Some of Diet
- Feeding Frequency: Several feedings per day
- Water Changes: Monthly
- Minimum Tank Size: 225 gal (852 L) - This fish is happiest in a group of five or more, and as such the minimum tank is infact quite massive. The aquarist for whom the target is an immaculately planted tank should steer clear of this fish as it will gladly devour all but the sturdiest of aquarium plants.
- Substrate Type: Any
- Lighting Needs: Moderate - normal lighting
- Temperature: 72.0 - 77.0° F (22.2 - 25.0° C)
- Range ph: 6.5-7.5
- Hardness Range: 2 - 10 dGH
- Brackish: No
- Water Movement: Strong
- Water Region: All
Although they are can be good community fish they will prey upon smaller fish. Lively and fun to watch. One of the few fishes that can be kept with cichlids.
- Venomous: No
- Temperament: Peaceful - This fish is lively and fun to watch. It will prey upon fish small enough for it to eat. It is also study enough that it can be effectivley combined with cichlids and semi-aggressive fish.
- Compatible with:
- Same species - conspecifics: Yes
- Peaceful fish (): Safe - Will prey on smaller fish.
- Semi-Aggressive: (): Monitor - The Tinfoil Barb is one of the few fish that can be kept with Cichlids.
- Shrimps, Crabs, Snails: Safe - not aggressive
No external differences.
The Tinfoil Barb has been bred commercially and a variety of color forms have been developed, including this one, the Golden Tinfoil Barb
- Ease of Propagation: Moderate - Although not a difficult fish to breed, this fish is a typical egg scatterer, the logistics of breeding a fish of this size is generally a deterence to most aquarists.
The Golden Tinfoil Barb, as well as many of the other varieties of Tinfoil Barb are readily available. Prices range from about $2.50 - $10.00 USD per individual, depending on size.
Animal-World References
Freshwater Fish and Plants
Tropical Fish ~ Freshwater Fish ~ Aquatic Plants
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