How many tinfoil barbs should be kept together?
The Tinfoil Barb is a schooling species, so you should always keep at least five specimens together. When a group of Tinfoil Barbs lives together in the aquarium, the fishes are less stressed. You will enjoy a much broader range of natural behaviors as shoaling Tinfoil Barbs are very entertaining.
What fish can be kept with tinfoil barbs?
Large and non-aggressive fish like bala sharks work best, although smaller schooling species are also often housed with tinfoil barbs. Oscars and other non-aggressive cichlids are common tank mates.
How long do tin foil barb fish live?
They are an egg-scattering species, so they do not care for their eggs after spawning. Female tinfoil barbs can produce several thousand eggs per spawn. They have a lifespan of 20 years.
Are tin foil barbs aggressive?
Temperament. For the most part, tinfoil barbs are mild-mannered and get along with most other fish. They may, however, nip at and cause damage to fish with long trailing fins, such as angelfish. A large barb will also eat small fish, given the opportunity.
How fast do tinfoil barbs grow?
I have seen the tinfoil barbs at work grow from 2 inches to 5 inches in three months. If you’ve had them for a year and they’re only 4 inches they are most likely stunted and might not live the lifespan they normally would.
How can you tell if a tinfoil barb is male or female?
The easiest way to identify the females from the males is to look at the forked tail fin. Both the varieties of Tinfoil Barb have a black marking on the dorsal side of the fin while the regular Tinfoil Barb has a red dot on its fin. Also, they tend to have a silvery overall lining and golden bronze color.
Are tinfoil barbs schooling fish?
Fish are able to live in spacious aquariums with quite aggressive cichlids: oscar fish, jaguar cichlid, parrot fish, even flowerhorn. In the wild tinfoil barb swims in large schools. Therefore you should keep a school of at least 5 species in a tank.
How big do tinfoil barbs get?
14 inches
It grows up to 14 inches (35 cm) in length. Tinfoil barbs have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years. Originating in the Mekong and Chao Phraya basins of Thailand, and Sumatra, Borneo, and Malayan peninsula, the tinfoil barb is found in rivers, streams, canals, and ditches.
Can we keep tinfoil barb with goldfish?
You shouldn’t keep it with slow fishes (like goldfish or koi) since tinfoil barb activeness can make goldfish stressed. The best tank mates are not aggressive fish species – angelfish, silver dollar, arowana, bala shark, fire eel, clown loach.
How do tinfoil fish breed?
If you want to go about breeding Tinfoil barbs, you will need an outdoor aquaculture in a tropical climate or a really big aquarium. Since the Tinfoil barbs are egg scatterers, they will not care for their eggs. Chances are high that they will eat egg and/or fry if kept together in the same aquarium.
What is a tinfoil barb?
The 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.
Are Tinfoil barbs schooling fish?
Tinfoil barbs are a schooling fish and must be kept with at least six other barbs. However, they prefer as many schooling mates as possible. So the more barbs you keep, the happier and more confident they will be overall. Despite their size, tinfoil barbs are a peaceful fish with an easygoing temperament.
What size aquarium do Tinfoil barbs need?
Because of their size and origin, tinfoil barbs need an aquarium with at least 70 gallons. If you want to keep more than one barb or set up a community tank, you’ll need to double the gallon size and work up from there.