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Red-tail Tinfoil BarbTinfoil Barb ~ Tall BarbFamily: Cyprinidae Barbonymus altusPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy David BroughLatest Reader Comment - See More These fish are definitely NOT solitary. They are shoaling fish and need to be kept in a group. mark The Red-tail Tinfoil Barbs makes an excellent addition to a large aquarium, especially when you need large but relatively peaceful inhabitants!Red-tail Tinfoil Barb Contents The Red-tail Tinfoil Barb can be confused with other members of its genus, especially the almost identical Tinfoil Barb Barbonymus schwanenfeldii. Though both these tinfoil barbs have a black marking on their dorsal fin only the Tinfoil Barb has red on this fin. The Red-tail Tinfoil Barb also is also missing black submarginal lines on the caudal fin. It is important to know which of these two species you are getting. One of the main reasons is the difference in size. The Red-tail Tinfoil barb is a much smaller fish and so is much easier to house. Though both of these fish get quite large, the Red-tail Tinfoil Barb will only reach about 8" (20 cm) while the Tinfoil Barb will rapidly acquire a length of 14 inches (35 cm) and is considered too large for most aquariums. The Red-tail Tinfoil Barb is hardy and undemanding. Being peaceful it makes a good community addition, though it is always important to house fish with similar sized tankmates so nobody gets eaten. It can also be be kept with some of the more tolerant cichlids. An aquarium best suited to this fish would be large and roomy with dense plantings along the edges. For more Information on keeping freshwater fish see: |
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Habitat: Distribution / Background
The Red-tail Tinfoil Barb was originally described by Günther in 1868 as Barbus altus but is now described as Barbonymus altus. They are found in Southeast Asia, Mekong and Chao Phraya basins, as well as Maeklong, Peninsular and Southeast Thailand river systems. They inhabit large waterways and rivers, and will enter flood plains.
- Scientific Name: Barbonymus altus
- Social Grouping: Solitary - Can be kept in small groups as well as singly.
- IUCN Red List: NE - Not Evaluated or not listed
Although The Red-tail Tinfoil Barb is very similar to its close relative the Tinfoil Barb B. schwanenfeldii in coloration, it does not get quite as large. In its natural coloration large adults have a silvery or golden yellow body. The dorsal fin has a black marking or blotch along the tip. The pelvic, anal, and caudal fins are also red.
- Maximum Size: 8.0 inches (20.32 cm) - This fish is often confused with its close relative the Tinfoil Barb which reaches nearly double this species adult size. The aquarist should be absolutley certain of which species it is purchasing.
- Aquarium Hardiness: Moderately hardy
- Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate - This fish doesn't require too much expertise apart from that required to maintain a very large tank.
Since they are omnivorous, the Red-tail 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 supplements include vegetable based fish pellets, and also blanched lettuce or spinach.
An aquarium best suited to this fish would be large and roomy with dense plantings along the edges. Due to their size a minimum 100 gallon tank is suggested.
- Diet Type: Omnivore
- Flake Food: Yes
- 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: Bi-weekly
- Minimum Tank Size: 100 gal (379 L)
- Substrate Type: Any
- Lighting Needs: Moderate - normal lighting
- Temperature: 72.0 - 81.0° F (22.2 - 27.2° C)
- Range ph: 6.5-7.5
- Hardness Range: 2 - 10 dGH
- Brackish: No
- Water Movement: Moderate
- 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. This fish is not as aggressive as the Tin-foil Barb and doesn't grow as large either. Be careful to get the Red-Tail variety when purchasing as these are quite different fish with much different requirements.
- Temperament: Peaceful - Although rarely aggressive itself, this fish can keep up with a slightly rougher crowd. Fish small enough to be eaten will not last long in the Red-tail Tinfoil Barb's company.
- Same species - conspecifics: Yes
- Peaceful fish (): Safe
- Semi-Aggressive (): Safe
- Aggressive (): Monitor
- Shrimps, Crabs, Snails: Safe - not aggressive
No external differences, though females are significantly rounder during spawning season.
The Red-tail Tinfoil Barb has not been bred in the aquarium yet.
- Ease of Breeding: Unknown
Through the mid-1990's, the Red-tail Tinfoil Barb was only showing up in the pet trade as a bi-catch mixed in with other fish shipments. Today it is being harvested (as well as cultivated) in their native countries and sold to the ornamental fish market. However, finding this fish is not so easy and it is not readily available. Most often the Tinfoil Barb B. schwanenfeldii is being sold as the Red-tail Tinfoil Barb. Be sure you know what you are getting. There is a huge difference in the adult size of these two fish.
Animal-World References
Freshwater Fish and Plants
Tropical Fish ~ Freshwater Fish ~ Aquatic Plants
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