How fast do Tinfoil Barbs grow?

They grow exceptionally fast. A juvenile Tinfoil Barb can grow from 5 cm to over 20 cm in its first year if fed well and housed in a suitably large aquarium.

Can I keep a Tinfoil Barb on its own?

It is not recommended. Tinfoil Barbs are highly social, obligate shoaling fish. Kept alone, they become stressed, skittish, and may injure themselves by darting into the aquarium glass.

Will Tinfoil Barbs eat my aquarium plants?

Yes, they have a large herbivorous component to their diet and will quickly strip and consume soft-leaved aquatic plants. If you want plants, opt for tough species like Anubias or Java Fern, or use high-quality artificial plants.

What size tank do I need for a group of Tinfoil Barbs?

You will need a tank of at least 800 litres (usually 6 to 8 feet in length) to house a healthy adult shoal of five or more, giving them the immense swimming space they require.

Do Tinfoil Barbs eat other fish?

While not predatory by nature, they are opportunistic feeders with large mouths. Any tankmate small enough to fit inside their mouth, such as Neon Tetras or Guppies, will likely be eaten.

FreshwaterTropicalIntermediate

Tinfoil Barb

Barbonymus schwanenfeldii

The Tinfoil Barb is a highly active, shoaling freshwater fish famous for its metallic sheen and bright red fins, but requiring an exceptionally large aquarium to accommodate its adult size.

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Ideal Conditions

Temperature: 22 – 28 °C
pH range: 6.5 – 8
Hardness: 2 – 15 dGH
Adult size: 30 – 35 cm
800 Litres: 800 litres+
Lifespan: 8 – 15 years
Diet: Omnivorous
Water flow: Moderate to High
Preferred setup: Spacious, open swimming areas with secure, heavy décor and robust or artificial plants. Requires a tight-fitting lid to prevent jumping.

About the Tinfoil Barb

Named for its brilliantly reflective, silvery scales that resemble aluminium foil, the Tinfoil Barb is an attractive and dynamic addition to the extra-large freshwater aquarium. Juveniles are frequently sold at just a few centimetres in length, misleading many beginners into thinking they are suitable for standard community tanks. In reality, they are fast-growing giants that demand immense swimming space. When housed properly in a large group, their synchronised swimming and vibrant red fins make for a spectacular display.

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Is it right for your tank?

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Where Tinfoil Barb comes from

Native range

Southeast Asia, Mekong Basin, Chao Phraya Basin, Malay Peninsula, Sundaland

Countries / regions

Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos

Habitat

Inhabits large rivers, streams, and canals, frequently migrating into flooded agricultural fields and forests during the wet season to forage.

Widespread across Southeast Asia, meaning it can tolerate a wide variety of riverine and flooded-plain environments.

Similar species

Bala Shark
Balantiocheilos melanopterus
Red-tailed Tinfoil Barb
Barbonymus altus
Lemon Fin Barb
Hypsibarbus wetmorei

We’re adding more full species guides as the catalogue grows.

Compatible tank mates

Reviewed guidance based on this species' recorded traits.

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Clown Loach
Chromobotia macracanthus
Similarly sized, robust, and enjoys the same water conditions and diet. They occupy the lower levels of the tank while the barbs swim above.
Great
Silver Dollar
Metynnis argenteus
Another large, fast-moving, herbivorous shoaling fish that keeps pace with the boisterous activity of the Tinfoil Barb.
Great
Bala Shark
Balantiocheilos melanopterus
Shares a similar size, temperament, and need for open swimming space, making them excellent companions in a suitably large aquarium.
Great
Angelfish
Pterophyllum scalare
While generally peaceful, the sheer speed and vigorous feeding habits of Tinfoil Barbs may intimidate and outcompete slower-moving cichlids like Angelfish.
Compatible with caution
Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
Tinfoil Barbs grow incredibly large and will eagerly consume any small fish that can fit into their mouths.
Not recommended

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