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Tinfoil Barb

Goldfoil Barb ~ Schwanefeld's Barb ~ Red-tail Tinfoil Barb Family: Cyprinidae

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Barbonymus schwanenfeldii Photo © Animal-World: Courtesy Pavaphon Supanantananont

   Adult Tinfoil Barbs, in a very large aquarium, make an impressive and beautiful display!

   The Tinfoil Barb, Schwanefeld's Barb, or Goldfoil Barb is easy to keep but will grow rapidly. It will reach an intimidating size, up to 14 inches (35 cm) in length and is 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.

Red-tail Tinfoil Barb Barbonymus altus Photo © Animal-World:

   The Tinfoil Barb can be confused with other members of its genus, especially the Red-tail Tinfoil Barb Barbonymus altus. Though both these tinfoil barbs have a black marking on their dorsal fin, the Red-tail Tinfoil Barb lacks the red, and it also lacks the black submarginal lines on the caudal fin.

  There are also several color varieties of this fish being imported, with the most familiar being the Albino Tinfoil Barb and the Golden 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:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Freshwater Aquarium

Distribution:
   The Tinfoil Barb, Schwanefeld's Barb, or Goldfoil 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.

Status:
   These fish are not listed on the IUCN Red List.

Description:
   In its natural coloration a large adult Tinfoil Barb has a silvery or golden yellow body. The dorsal fin is red and has a black marking or blotch along the tip. The pectoral, pelvic and anal fins are also red. The caudal fin is orange or a deep red and has black lines submarginally on the upper and lower portions of each lob.

   You can see the color difference in the juvenile in the picture to the left. The juvenile is a rather drab young barb with a basic silver or tin plated look to the scales, thus the common name "Tinfoil Barb". As they get older they develop red pelvic and anal fins, along with a shaded tail and dorsal fin; shading from red to black often with a white tip on the dorsal fin.

   The Tinfoil Barb is imported in several varieties. These include the familiar Albino Tinfoil Barb and Golden Tinfoil Barb 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.

Size - Weight:
   These fish get up to almost 14 inches (35 cm).

Care and feeding:
   Since they are omnivorous, the Tinfoil Barb, Schwanefeld's Barb, or Goldfoil 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.

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom:
  These fish will swim in all areas of the aquarium.

Acceptable Water Conditions:
   Hardness: 2 - 10° dGH
   Ph: 6.5 to 7.5
   Temp: 72 - 77° F (22 - 25° C)

Social Behaviors:
   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.

Sexual Differences:
   No external differences.

Breeding/Reproduction:
   The Tinfoil Barb, Schwanefeld's Barb, or Goldfoil Barb has been bred commercially and a variety of color forms have been developed.

Availability:
   The Tinfoil Barb, Schwanefeld's Barb, or Goldfoil Barb is readily available. Prices range from about $2.50 - $10.00 USD per individual, depending on size.

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Latest Comments
I love to keep these cute little Tinfoil Barbs. I have 5 of them and I feed powder baby fish food. I mix them with Ghost Shrimp. Sometimes they try to eat one of the Ghost Shrimp but it's mouth is very small. I love to watch themto swimming around and I hope they grow and grow in adulthood. Abi Sufian 2009-02-01
A lovely fish. Very entertaining and very mini-pacu like! sven 2009-01-22
I have had my 3 tinfoil barbs for about 3 yrs now and I love them. They are about 6 to 8 inches long. they live with 4 silvers dollars and 2 angel fish. Everyone gets along good. I have them in a 55 gallon tank. I didn't realize how much you can feed them until reading some of the posts here, so I am going to try some of the new things I read. One thing I do give mine that they love is frozen brine shrimp. Mine also jump and splash you while feeding. Amy 2008-12-23
I have had my Tin Foil Barb, Cosmo for a little over a month and it has grown really fast and bites my Spotted Silver dollar, but hes still alive. My Red Platy is dying, I think because of my tin foil barb. The red platy's tail is all messed up. I recommend this fish for a big tank like 30 or 40 gallons. Cosmo is fun to watch, especially when he eats. Sometimes he'll splash me. But, I'm gonna get rid of him this week. Any suggestions... Fish_Lova12 2008-10-19
I have had a tinfoil barb for nine years now. He is now about 20cm. It live with my blood red parrot cichlid which I have also have for nine years. Recently I have placed four bristle nose catfish and a sailfin pleco with them and they are all one big happy family. One month ago I intergrated a new albino tinfoil which is 7cm with no problem what so ever. They are my pride and joy. Becky 2008-05-03
Some of the coolest comments:
I have had my tinfoil barbs for about a year now and they have quickly grown out of my three foot tank to my bigger four foot tank with a big pleco, angelic catfish, a big leprinus, black ghost knife fish, a large polypterus, a lemon-fin barb and a silver shark. both of my tinfoil barbs get on well with my other fish Except for feeding time, when they all get alittle bit tense over getting all of the food for them self. I feed my tinfoil barbs flake, bloodworm and cokkles with some live food every now and then. I dont tend to put plants in any more because every time I do they rip them out and eat them. so I just stick with bogwood and rocks. You have to be carful when you have the lid off of your tank because the tinfoil barbs jump, which I have experienced a few times before. I will be getting another tinfoil barb soon because you really need to keep them in a school rather then singly. Jack 2005-04-11
I have had my 4 Tin Foil Barbs for 6 months or so, and they have grown almost 6 inches! They are very hardy fish, good eaters, and fun tank mates. I currently have the barbs, 15 diamond tetras, a ropefish, 2 clown loaches, fiddler crab, and a pictus catfish in a 75 gallon tank. One additional note: these guys eat so much you have to be creative with their food to keep form going broke. I have a planted tank, and instead of throwing away plants that get too big, or any clippings i take from them, I feed them to the barbs. Also they love liver, which is really cheap at the supermarket. Cut up a beef liver into small squares, and throw them in the freezer. The barbs will love these. Chris chris 2004-11-10

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Author: David Brough. CFS.