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Tinfoil BarbGoldfoil Barb ~ Schwanefeld's Barb ~ Red-tail Tinfoil BarbFamily: CyprinidaelBarbWFCy_Ap19Af.jpg) Barbonymus schwanenfeldiiPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy Pavaphon SupanantananontLatest Reader Comment - See More 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... (more) Fish_Lova12 Adult Tinfoil Barbs, in a very large aquarium, make an impressive and beautiful display!Tinfoil Barb Contents 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. 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: |
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Habitat: Distribution / Background
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.
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.
Tinfoil Barb - Juvenile
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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.
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.
Animal-World References
Freshwater Fish and Plants
Tropical Fish ~ Freshwater Fish ~ Aquatic Plants
Red-tail Tinfoil Barb
Barbonymus altus
Photo © Animal-World:
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Although they can be good community fish they will prey upon smaller fish and are much more likely to be aggressive than their cousin the Red-tail Tinfoil barb. Lively and fun to watch. One of the few fishes that can be kept with cichlids.
There are no visible external differences between the sexes.
The Tinfoil Barb, Schwanefeld's Barb, or Goldfoil Barb has been bred commercially and a variety of color forms have been developed.
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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