Edit Barbonymus schwanefeldii
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Name
Scientific name
Barbonymus schwanefeldii
Described by
Authority Bleeker, Year 1854
Family
Cyprinidae
Summary
The tinfoil barb, Barbonymus schwanefeldii, is a large cyprinid found across much of Southeast Asia, from the Mekong to Borneo and Sumatra.…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
355mm, standard length
Tank size
Minimum length 210 cm, Minimum depth 60 cm
Water
Temperature and pH
Temperature 20–28°C, pH 6–8
Hardness
2–15dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Predatory
Social needs
A shoal or group
Community suitability
Not for a community
Where it lives
Countries
Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam
Supporting text
Etymology
Barbonymus: from the generic name Barbus, to which members of this genus were previously assigned, and Ancient Greek ἀνώνυμος (anṓnumos), meaning 'anonymous', …
Distribution
This species is currently accepted to have an enormous distribution that covers much of Southeast Asia including the countries Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietna…
Habitat
Mostly inhabits medium-sized affluent river channels that are prone to flooding during the wet season plus their surrounding floodplains, but increasingly foun…
Aquarium size
An aquarium with base dimensions of 210 ∗ 60 cm84 ∗ 24 in should be the minimum considered.
Maintenance
Choice of décor is not as critical as water quality and the amount of open swimming-space provided; we have seen very healthy-looking specimens being maintaine…
Water conditions
Not written yet
Diet
Omnivorous and something of an opportunist although studies suggest it is primarily a herbivore; wild Barbonymus have been observed feeding on invertebrates, a…
Behaviour and compatibility
Not usually aggressive but will eat small fishes and can upset slow-moving or more timid tank-mates with its constant activity and rather vigorous feeding beha…
Sexual dimorphism
Mature females are usually deeper-bodied than males especially when gravid. Otherwise there are no obvious external differences.
Reproduction
Not known to have been bred in private aquaria but is used in aquaculture projects in its native countries and further afield. In Hawaii, for example, it is sp…
Notes
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…
References
References
11 on this profile