Tinfoil Barb (Barbonymus schwanenfeldii)

From Pet Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Tinfoil Barb
Barbonymus schwanenfeldii
Tinfoil Barb (Barbonymus schwanenfeldii)
Name Tinfoil Barb
Name Lat. Barbonymus schwanenfeldii
Synonym Puntius schwanenfeldii
Family Carps
Family lat. Cyprinidae
Order Carps
Order lat. Cypriniformes
Origin Southeast Asia
Habitat Rivers
Diet Omnivore
pH 6.0-7.0
Behavior Peaceful
Keeping Group
Care Level Moderate
Reproduction Egg scatterer
Breeding None reported
Life Span 8-10 years
Protection No
Metric Units
Size 25-35 cm
Temperature 22-25 °C
Hardness 5-10 °dH
Aquarium 370 l
US Units
Size 9.8"-14"
Temperature 72-77 °F
Hardness 89-178 ppm
Aquarium 100 gal

Distribution and habitat

The distribution area of the Swanfield's barb is the Mekong and Chao Phraya river systems, as well as rivers on the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo. There they live in the larger and medium-sized rivers and their floodplains.

Maintenance

The aquarium should have a varied, robust planting that provides shelter as well as swimming space and roots that serve as a retreat. With bright lighting and dark substrate they show the most beautiful coloration.

No ammonia, ammonium and nitrite should be detectable, the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and oxygen content, a filter and heater adapted to the aquarium size is required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.

Diet

The food supply consists of live, frozen and dry food. For a balanced diet, feed once a day with a high-quality dry food (flakes, granules, pellets) as well as cyclops, daphnia, mosquito larvae, artemia and tubifex (live or frozen). In addition, they need vegetable food, such as crushed peas, mashed leafy and wild vegetables, algae leaves or dry food with vegetable ingredients (e.g. spirulina, kelp).

Only feed as much as will be eaten within a few minutes. A regular and varied diet promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms.

Behaviour and compatibility

These sociable and lively fish should be kept together in a group of at least 5, but preferably more. They can be well socialized with catfish, cichlids, tetras and other barbs of similar size

Basically, only compatible fish species with similar water condition and water temperature requirements should be socialized.

Sex dimorphism

No external sex differences are known. Females appear slightly rounder than the males.

Reproduction and breeding

They are free spawners that do not perform any brood care. There are no known reports of successful breeding in the aquarium.

Important

The Barbonymus altus are very similar to the Barbonymus schwanefeldii.

The well-being of the fish should be checked regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate levels at least every 14 days. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even if the contaminant level has not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced fish must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium

Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: Werner Winter; Image: petdata

Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); RIEHL & BAENSCH (2004): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 3, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch

  • Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF