Description

The Red Tail Tinfoil Barb or Tinfoil Barbels (Barbonymus Schwanenfeldii) is a tropical Southeast Asian freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae. It is distinguishable from other species of the genus in having a red dorsal fin with a black blotch at the tip, red pectoral, pelvic and anal fins, red caudal fin with white margin and a black submarginal stripe along each lobe, and 8 scale rows between dorsal-fin origin and lateral line. Large individuals are silvery or golden yellow while alive with its dorsal fin red and caudal fin orange or blood-red. It grows up to 14″ inches in length. Red Tail Tinfoil Barb or Tinfoil Barbels have a lifespan of 8 to 10 years.

The Red Tail Tinfoil Barb is a schooling species that prefers to be placed with a number of its own species. It prefers living in water with strong currents similar to those found in their native streams. It is also recommended that they be kept with fish of similar size or larger. Many unwary buy young specimens and find out too late how large the Red Tail Tinfoil Barb or Tinfoil Barbels can grow.

The Red Tail Tinfoil Barb is often seen in large aquaria as companions to large Cichlids. The Red Tail Tinfoil Barb is an active, peaceful species that spends most of its time in the mid-level and bottom of the water. A greedy eater, it will attempt to fill its mouth with as much food as possible during feedings. In captivity, it will eat almost anything provided to it.