Tinfoil barb care guide
Also called: Schwanenfeld's barb, Gold tinfoil barb
The tinfoil barb is a shiny silver barb with red fins, sold at 2–3 inches but growing to about 12 inches (30 cm). It's peaceful, but it needs a school of six, a tank of around 200 gallons (757 L), and it eats small fish and soft plants.
Tinfoil barbs need a tank of at least 200 gallons (757 L), a group of 6 or more, and water at 22–26°C (72–79°F) with a pH of 6.5–7.5. They grow to about 30 cm (11.8 in) and are peaceful.
Plan a tank with tinfoil barbsSee all tank mates
Tinfoil barb quick facts
| Scientific name | Barbonymus schwanefeldii |
|---|---|
| Family | Cyprinidae |
| Origin | Rivers of Southeast Asia: Mekong and Chao Phraya basins, Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo |
| Adult size | 30 cm (11.8 in) |
| Minimum tank | 200 gallons (757 L), at least 210 cm (83 in) long |
| Temperature | 22–26°C (72–79°F) |
| pH | 6.5–7.5 |
| Hardness (GH) | 4–15 dGH |
| Group size | 6 or more (schooling fish) |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Swims at | Middle |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Care level | Hard |
| Lifespan | 8–10 years |
| Safe with shrimp? | No, eats shrimp |
| Safe with plants? | No, eats or uproots plants |
- Known jumper: keep a tight-fitting lid.
Tank setup
Plan for adult size, not shop size. A school of six adults needs about 200 gallons (757 L) and a tank at least 7 ft (210 cm) long, with lots of open swimming room. Use strong filtration, such as two large canister filters or a sump, sturdy decor and a heavy, tight lid.
How many tinfoil barbs in a tank?
Tinfoil barbs need a very large tank: at least 200 gallons (757 L).
| Tank | Tinfoil barbs (alone) |
|---|---|
| 3 gallon | Too small |
| 5 gallon | Too small |
| 10 gallon | Too small |
| 15 gallon | Too small |
| 20 gallon | Too small |
| 20 gallon long | Too small |
| 29 gallon | Too small |
| 40 gallon | Too small |
| 55 gallon | Too small |
| 75 gallon | Too small |
| 125 gallon | Too small |
What you need for tinfoil barbs
Sized for a 200 gallon tank, the smallest common size that suits a group of 6 tinfoil barbs. For a different tank or a mix of fish, use the stocking calculator for a list sized to your plan.
Tank and equipment
- 200 gallon aquarium (tank or kit) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Bigger tanks are more stable and easier for beginners. How to choose
- Aquarium stand for 200 gallons (opens Amazon in a new tab)The water alone weighs about 1668 lb (757 kg), before glass, gravel and rock. How to choose
- 2 adjustable heaters, 250 W each (opens Amazon in a new tab)Holds about 75 °F (24 °C) in a room at 65 °F (18 °C). Two heaters keep the tank warm if one fails. How to choose
- Aquarium thermometer (opens Amazon in a new tab)Check it daily: heaters can fail stuck on or off. How to choose
- Canister filter rated 1200–2000 GPH (opens Amazon in a new tab)Heavily stocked or messy fish: 6–10 times the tank volume per hour. How to choose
- About 285 lb of aquarium gravel (opens Amazon in a new tab)Enough for a layer about 2 in (5 cm) deep. Smooth gravel suits most community fish. How to choose
- Water conditioner (dechlorinator) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Removes chlorine and chloramine from tap water. Seachem Prime is a popular, concentrated choice. How to choose
- Liquid test kit (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Liquid kits are more accurate than strips. The API Freshwater Master Test Kit is the common choice. How to choose
- Gravel vacuum (siphon) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Cleans the gravel and does the water change in one go. How to choose
- LED aquarium light, about 98 in long (opens Amazon in a new tab)Match the light to the tank length. Basic LEDs grow easy plants. How to choose
Food and extras for tinfoil barbs
- Tropical fish pellets (opens Amazon in a new tab)A good staple for medium community fish.
- Tight-fitting lid for a 200 gallon tank (opens Amazon in a new tab)Tinfoil barb can jump out of an open tank.
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Water parameters
They are not fussy about water chemistry. Aim for 22–26°C (72–79°F), pH 6.5–7.5 and soft to moderately hard water. Adults eat a lot and make a lot of waste, so big weekly water changes are essential.
Best tank mates for tinfoil barbs
These popular species share tinfoil barbs' water needs and temperament. See the full list of 44 good matches.
Nerite snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Bristlenose pleco
12 cm (4.7 in) · 22–26°C (72–79°F)
Angelfish
15 cm (5.9 in) · 24–29°C (75–84°F)
Common pleco
40 cm (15.7 in) · 23–28°C (73–82°F)
Assassin snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Ramshorn snail
2 cm (0.8 in) · 21–27°C (70–81°F)
Malaysian trumpet snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 20–27°C (68–81°F)
Mystery snail
5 cm (2 in) · 21–26°C (70–79°F)
Avoid keeping tinfoil barbs with
- Cherry shrimp: Tinfoil barb eats small shrimp like cherry shrimp.
- Guppy: Tinfoil barb can eat guppies: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Neon tetra: Tinfoil barb can eat neon tetras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Panda corydoras: Tinfoil barb can eat panda corydoras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Zebra danio: Tinfoil barb can eat zebra danios: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- African dwarf frog: Tinfoil barb can eat African dwarf frogs.
Feeding
Mostly plant-eaters, but they will eat almost anything. Feed a good pellet or flake plus plenty of plant matter such as blanched peas, zucchini, spinach and some fruit. Add frozen foods like bloodworms or brine shrimp, and chopped earthworm or prawn for adults. Don't overfeed; they always act hungry.
Behavior
Not aggressive, but big, fast and greedy, so they stress slow or shy fish and swallow any fish that fits in their mouths. Keep them only with sturdy, similar-sized fish such as bala sharks, silver dollars, large rainbowfish, big catfish and calm large cichlids. In small groups they turn nervous or pushy.
Breeding
Not bred in home aquariums. They scatter thousands of eggs with no parental care, and fish farms usually spawn them with hormones. Breeding at home would need a huge tank and a plan for hundreds of fry.
Tips from experienced keepers
- Don't buy tinfoils to 'grow out' in a small tank. They outgrow it fast, and shops rarely take them back.
- Soft live plants will be eaten. Try anubias or java fern tied to rock or wood, or use artificial plants.
- Keep fish smaller than about 2.5 in (6 cm) out of the tank. Adults can swallow them.
- Use a heavy, secure lid. A startled adult jumps hard.
Frequently asked questions
How big do tinfoil barbs get?
Adults usually reach about 10–12 inches (25–30 cm) in aquariums, and wild fish can reach about 14 inches (35 cm). They grow quickly, so a small tank only works for a short time.
Can tinfoil barbs live in a 55-gallon tank?
Not as adults. A 55-gallon (208 L) tank only suits juveniles for a short time. A school of adults needs around 200 gallons (757 L) and a tank at least 7 ft (210 cm) long.
Will tinfoil barbs eat plants and small fish?
Yes. They eat most soft plants and will swallow small fish such as neon tetras, guppies and small rasboras. Choose tough plants and large tankmates.
Sources
We checked these references when writing this page. Values are for healthy long-term keeping, not survival limits. Last reviewed 2026-10-13. See our editorial policy.