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BarbsAlmost as Many Subtypes as There Are AquariumsTinfoil BarbBarbus Schwanenfeldii
The Tinfoil Barb, Barbus Schwanenfeldii, belongs to an extremely large family of fishes called Ciprinids (Family Ciprinidae). This family includes nearly 1,250 species of Barbs, Barbels, Danios, Rasboras, Minnows, Loaches, Knifefishes and Botias. Perhaps the most widely known Barb found in domestic aquariums is the Tiger Barb, the potentially large size of the Tinfoil Barb being daunting to some aquarists. Mature Tinfoil Barbs of 14 inches are not uncommon, and specimens have been found as long as two feet in length. Barbus Schwanenfeldii is widely dispersed throughout Southeast Asia including Borneo, Sumatra, Malaysia and Indonesia. Like most Carps, it has two pairs of barbels located on each side of the mouth. Its elongated body is nearly symetrical from top to bottom (dorsal to ventral) when viewed from the side. It has large scales over all of its silvery colored body excepting the head. The silver body color may be highlighted by yellow or bluish iridescence, especially in certain lighting conditions. The Tinfoil Barb has a bright red caudal fin edged top and bottom with black, and lighter (usually yellowish or orange) dorsal, anal and pectoral fins. The dorsal fin may be tipped with black. The eye is golden with a deep red center. The sexes cannot be distinguished by coloration alone. Tinfoil Barbs are egg layers and have never been known to breed in captivity. Tinfoil Barbs are extremely active swimmers and should be kept with others of its kind in a shoal. They are avid jumpers and will aerially exit an improperly covered tank. Their space requirements reflect these characteristics making it necessary to house them in a tightly covered 30 gallon (minimum) tank when young, and later moving them to a 90 or 120 gallon tank depending on the shoal population. Barbus Schwanenfeldii will eat aquarium plants, but it still is desirable to include plants in your tank for control of nitrogen compounds in the water. Feeding lettuce leaves will help to minimize damage to aquatic plants. Mixing firmly anchored plastic plants in with the natural rooted and floating ones also help to offset the atrition and expense while providing interest in the aquarium. They will tolerate a range of water quality with a pH value of 6.5 to 7.2, and 5 to 8 DH (hardness). While they are capable of doing well in water temperatures down to 68°F the low temperatures will inhibit development of their natural coloration. Their ideal temperature range is 73° to 77°F. Occasional partial water changes are recommended to dilute nitrogen compounds not aspirated by the plants. Condition replacement tap water with a dechlorinator (if chlorine is present) and equalize replacement water temperature with that in the tank. It is essential that nitrobacter bacteria are present in the aquarium water. They live in the substrate and require circulating water to survive. They may be introduced to a new tank by transferring a cupful of gravel from an established tank to the new one. Constant aeration is essential due to the high level of activity chacteristic of this species. Water circulation in the substrate may be accomplished by burying a long bubbler pipe under the gravel. As the air rises through the substrate it will carry water upward with it, creating a current as rising water is replaced. Barbus Schwanenfeldii will eat nearly anything that is offered. You can catch bugs from around the porch light and throw them into the tank. They will disappear the instant they are spotted by your Tinfoil Barbs. Virtually any natural or prepared food that is small enough to fit in their mouth will be relished. Some variety of foods is preferred for best health and fitness. They will eat almost constantly as long as food is available in the tank, even until their gut becomes visibly distended. Do not be concerned about this as it seems to be a natural and harmless behavior.
We started our tiny Redtail Tinfoil Barb in a ten gallon tank with two Gouramis (a Gold variant and a Sunset Colisa lalia). When the Barb was first introduced into the tank it exhibited very agressive behavior. It chased the Gouramis relentlessly, nipping at their fins. The Gouramis returned the agression after a short time and corrected the Barb's flawed behavior. They all got along perfectly after that time. While it is unusual for a young Tinfoil Barb to be agressive there is the occasional "bully". I usually find a bigger fish (such as an Oscar) who deserves a treat and dispose of the ill-behaved fish. This was the case with a Rosy Barb we tried for a short time. It is not a good idea to simply return agressive fish to the pet store for exchange leaving it to be someone else's problem. At least make it clear to the pet store owner that the fish is behaviorally flawed so he can destroy the fish. I just ameliorate my losses by deriving some nutritional value from undesirables.
Gary Churchman 
garydebc@silcom.com
Copyright © 1997 Gary Churchman LinkExchange Member |
