Tinfoil Barbs
Quite often the juveniles are sold on the market and nobody tells about how large the fish becomes as an adult one and as a result the fish quickly overgrows any tank of a common aquarist and then requires a really spacious tank.
Tinfoil barbs. Sexing tinfoil barbs is a bit tricky since there are no obvious difference between males and females. If this is the case they are getting enough food. It can be up to 14 inches 35 cm long.
This is one of two species traded under the vernacular name tinfoil barb the other being the less well known congener b. The tinfoil barb barbonymus schwanenfeldii is a tropical southeast asian freshwater fish of the family cyprinidae. However a few people know that it takes several requirements to keep tinfoil barb fish in an aquarium which makes them unsuitable.
Since tinfoil barbs grow so large they are not easy to breed in captivity. Tinfoil barbs barbonymus schwanenfeldii are best described as gentle giants. Tinfoil barb fish might be tempting to keep because of their undemanding traits.
This fish will eat constantly if given enough food but a limited amount of food is best. Tinfoil barbs are highly attractive peaceful active community fish when young but these fish will grow rapidly and soon reach up to 35cm. The tinfoil barb is an egg scattering species and the female tinfoil barb can produce several thousand eggs per spawning.
Tinfoil barbs appreciate a moderate to strong current of highly oxygenated water. When viewed from above the fish should have a broad look and the belly should be rounded. This species was originally described as barbus schwanenfeldii by pieter bleeker in 1853 and has also been placed in the genera barbodes and puntius.
The tinfoil barb is a fish that is often available in pet shops and sold to the beginning aquarist but it is not the best choice for those just starting in the freshwater hobby. The tinfoil barb requires a very large tank at least 75 gallons 284 liters for one and a much larger aquarium when keeping these barbs in multiples because of their potential adult size of 13 inches 32 cm. They can grow quite large even in captivity but even so are docile inhabitants that get along well in community tanks.
Unfortunately both are usually offered at a small size usually around 50 75 mm with little to no information regarding the eventual size of the fish. Their striking appearance and playful behavior make them a delight to watch and care for. Imagining their glistening silver scales combined with their red and orange fins swimming in our tank is a beautiful scene to watch.
Altus is just as widely available as b. The tinfoil barb scientific name lat. They therefore require a large aquarium making them unsuitable for the beginner aquarist and most fishkeepers.