Albino Tinfoil Barb - Barbonymus schwanenfeldii

Tinfoil Barbs (Barbonymus schwanenfeldii) are metallic silver and shimmer like tinfoil in the aquarium. The fins are typically red but may have some black trim. This is a schooling fish but grows very large and potentially aggressive. They are very active and need plenty of swimming room and a secure lid.

Barbs are popular aquarium fish from the Cyprinidae family, one of the largest in freshwater that also includes other popular fish like Danios and Tetras. Most of the barbs available to aquarists are from the genus Puntius although several others are also found, including Barbus, Garra, Barbonymus, Barilius and others.

Though most barbs can be kept in community aquariums, several common species grow very large and aggressive. These species include the Tinfoil Barb, Mad Barb, Gold Tinfoil Barb and others. These fish are best kept in large, species-only aquarium or with large tankmates that can tolerate their active, aggressive behavior. They should not be kept in small or community aquariums.

Barbs are generally not picky eaters. They will accept a wide variety of fresh and prepared foods like flakes and appropriately-sized pellets and frozen foods like formulas, brine shrimp, mysis, daphnia, blackworms and similar items.