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Genus

Barbonymus

Species
3
Photographed
3 of 3
Difficulty rated
3 of 3
Subadult specimen.

Barbonymus altusRed-tailed Tinfoil Barb

Günther, 1868

Max length
210mm SL8in SL
Tank
150 × 60cm60 × 24in
Temp
20–27°C68–81°F
pH
6.0–8.0

This is one of two species sold with the common/trade name of "tinfoil barb", the other being the more widely-recognised B. schwanenfeldii. Despite this it appears that B. altus is just as widely available as B. schwanenfeldii and in many cases is seen on sale more regularly. Unfortunately both are usually offered at a small size (usually around 2 - 3"/5 - 7.5cm) with little to no information regarding the eventual size of the fish. Although B. altus is the ...

Moderate
Adult specimen.

Barbonymus gonionotus

Bleeker, 1849

Max length
300mm SL12in SL
Tank
210 × 60cm84 × 24in
Temp
20–26°C68–79°F
pH
6.0–8.0

The genus Barbonymus was erected by Kottelat in 1999 and contains former members of Barbodes from southeast Asia. The type species is B. schwanenfeldii and currently there exist only three other representatives; B. altus, B. collingwoodii and B. gonionotus. The latter two are rare in the hobby although an SF member has kept B. gonionotus in the past so they are worth looking out for if you harbour an...

Moderate
Adult individual from Thailand in the aquarium.

Barbonymus schwanefeldiiTinfoil barb

Bleeker, 1854

Max length
355mm SL14in SL
Tank
210 × 60cm84 × 24in
Temp
20–28°C68–82°F
pH
6.0–8.0

This is one of two species traded under the vernacular name 'tinfoil barb', the other being the less well-known congener B. altus. Despite this it appears that B. altus is just as widely available as B. schwanefeldii and in many cases is seen on sale more regularly. 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.

Moderate