What do I have?`

[The Flizzle]

My neighbors needed to get rid of two fish that were too large for their aquarium. They look familiar to me but I cant remember what they are. Pretty cool and very active. I have them by themselves in a 55 gallon right now. Sorry for the blur, they dont stop moving.

 

[fishe]

Tinfoil barbs


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

 

[Kcoastsurfguy]

Yep, look like nice size Tinfoil Barbs

 

[The Flizzle]

Just looked online, and that is what they are. THANKS!! =) These are about 7-8" with tail. I read they get up to 15". No clue how old these are but they were in a 20 long until today. Do they grow pretty fast? Im wondering if these will be stunted.

 

[Drstrangelove]

I've had trouble finding any real quotes on their growth other than that they slow down around 6"-7". They are omnivorous, need a good amount of vegetation in their diet, are very healthy eaters (i.e., pigs) so if you want full growth looks for multiple daily feedings. Like most fish, being in a large tank with good parameters and lots of swimming room will be important. Also, you'll want at least 5 to 6, since they shoal. Fewer and I've heard the dominant male will intimidate others to eat less. Other than the fact that they do get big and like to shoal, they are really nice fish, and the coloring and size (when full grown) is quite nice.

 

[The Flizzle]

Thanks for the information! I have a 150 gal tank I can put them in, but there is a Red Devil in there now. It is about 4" and never bothers the 5 cory cats that also live in there. Think they would be safe? Ill prob have to just try it and keep an eye out.

 

[heatherbeast]

These are redtail tinfoil barbs (Barbonymus altus), which will top out about 9-10". These are the species (and their gold leucistic variants) that most pet stores carry because their maximum size is a bit smaller than normal tinfoil barbs. That red devil will eventually murder them. Start looking for trouble when it gets to be closer to 6".

The tinfoil barbs (Barbonymus schwanenfeldii) that you read about get 15-16" long. They can be told apart from redtail tinfoil barbs by the black notch on their dorsal fin and a stripe along the outer edge of each of their tailfins. They are sometimes called 'scissortail barbs' for this reason. Here's a picture of the large species: http://www.theaquariumwiki.com/File:Barbonymusschwanenfeldii.jpg

 

[screaminleeman]

Thanks for the information! I have a 150 gal tank I can put them in, but there is a Red Devil in there now. It is about 4" and never bothers the 5 cory cats that also live in there. Think they would be safe? Ill prob have to just try it and keep an eye out.

Mine (2) @ 9" have lived with a 12+ " Dovi & 12+" Butti. Tilapia.

They eat meat (Tilapia, Smelt, Shrimp & Scallop) like it is going out of style. They are far less into the NLS and Oscar Show pellets that I feed. The Tilapia will not touch tilapia chunks though and focuses entirely on pellets, so maybe they are intimidated or something.