
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Barbonymus schwanefeldii
A large barb with a bright silver body and red fins. Sold cheaply as juveniles, it reaches 35cm and needs a tank of around 750 litres with powerful filtration. It swims hard and jumps, so a heavy lid is essential.
Barbonymus schwanefeldii ranges from the Mekong and Chao Phraya basins through the Malay Peninsula to Sumatra and Borneo. FishBase records a maximum of 35cm SL, a common length of 20cm, pH 6.5-7.0, up to 10 dH and 22-25C, and places it in rivers, streams and canals as a largely herbivorous omnivore living on aquatic plants and filamentous algae. In east Kalimantan it has been recorded across 20.4-33.7C. Seriously Fish gives 355mm SL, 20-28C, pH 6.0-8.0, 2-15 dGH and a 210 x 60cm base of about 756 litres. The body is silver with red fins and a black blotch in the dorsal. Juveniles of 5-7cm are sold cheaply, which makes this one of the species most often given up once it outgrows its tank. The IUCN rates it Least Concern and it is not listed by CITES.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The Tinfoil Barb lives 8-12 years.
The Tinfoil Barb grows to Up to 35cm SL.
The ideal temperature for the Tinfoil Barb is 20〜28℃.
Origin
Southeast Asia (Mekong and Chao Phraya basins, Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo)
Lifespan
8-12 years
Size
Sources: FishBase / Seriously Fish
Edited & verified by: BreederDirect editorial team
The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.
Sources: CITES Appendices (species not listed) / IUCN Red List
Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.
Find listings for this species
Up to 35cm SL
Temperature
20〜28℃
Dried foods, vegetable matter and frozen foods
Seriously Fish suggests a 210 x 60cm base of about 756 litres. Open swimming space and water quality matter more than decor, so run one or more large external filters, and fit a heavy, tight lid because it leaps powerfully.
Seriously Fish gives 20-28C, pH 6.0-8.0 and 2-15 dGH, while FishBase records pH 6.5-7.0, up to 10 dH and 22-25C. It eats heavily and fouls water, so allow generous oxygenation and biological filtration.
Not usually aggressive, but it eats small fish and its constant activity and vigorous feeding unsettle timid tank mates, so keep it only with robust fish of similar size. In groups smaller than six it becomes skittish and some individuals turn aggressive.
Studies make it primarily herbivorous, though it is an opportunist taking invertebrates, algae, small fish, and aquatic and terrestrial plants. Feed dried foods plus plenty of vegetable matter such as shelled peas, blanched courgette and spinach.
An egg scatterer with no parental care. It needs a great deal of water to reach maturity, so home breeding is rarely reported, and almost all traded fish come from Southeast Asian farms.
The real problem is what happens once it grows: it is a byword for fish returned after outgrowing a tank, so confirm the final size and water volume before buying. Beware too of confusion with B. altus, sold under the same name. The IUCN rates it Least Concern and it is not listed by CITES.
Intermediate. This is an intermediate-level species. Some prior experience and knowledge of environmental management are recommended.
The ideal temperature for Tinfoil Barb is 20〜28℃. Avoid sudden temperature changes and maintain a stable environment.
The average lifespan of Tinfoil Barb is 8-12 years. With proper care and nutrition, they can live a long and healthy life.
Tinfoil Barb typically reaches Up to 35cm SL as an adult. Size may vary depending on care conditions and individual genetics.
Tinfoil Barb feeds on: Dried foods, vegetable matter and frozen foods. Aim for a balanced diet with appropriate feeding frequency.
The price of Tinfoil Barb varies significantly depending on morph, size, and lineage. Check our market price page for the latest pricing information.
Last updated: September 17, 2026