Aquariumbarb · freshwater
Tinfoil Barb: adult size, tank size & tankmates
The Tinfoil Barb (Barbonymus schwanenfeldii) grows to about 17 in (35 cm SL). It needs a tank at least 83 inches long and about 200 gallons. Keep at least 6 together, at 72–77°F.
How big it really gets
Drawn to scale against common tank lengths. Green bars meet the minimum tank length from our sources.
Outgrows most home tanks. Sold as an active 2-inch schooling fish; grows into a bulky 14-inch plate-sized giant that destroys plants and outgrows home tanks.
Will it fit your tank?
Quick facts
- Adult size
- 17 in (35 cm SL)
- Minimum tank
- 83 inches long and about 200 gallons
- Temperature
- 72–77°F
- pH
- 6.5–7
- Hardness
- 2–10 dGH
- Group size
- 6+
- With other fish
- peaceful
- With its own kind
- peaceful
- Swims
- all levels
- Diet
- omnivore
- Care level
- intermediate
- Lifespan
- not stated in sources
Watch for: eats small fish · eats shrimp · eats live plants · jumps, so keep a lid
Tinfoil Barb tankmates
Checked with the same rules as our tank builder: temperature overlap, pH and hardness, predation and mouth size, fin-nipping and temperament. Tank size is left out here; check it in the builder.
Good tankmates
- Harlequin RasboraAdult ~2.1 in · 70–82°F
- Cherry BarbAdult ~2.4 in · 68–81°F
- Rummy-nose TetraAdult ~2.4 in · 73–79°F
- GuppyAdult ~2.8 in · 63–82°F
- PlatyAdult ~2.4 in · 68–79°F
- Honey GouramiAdult ~2.6 in · 72–81°F
- Dwarf GouramiNeeds careAdult ~4.2 in · 72–81°F
- Pearl GouramiAdult ~5.7 in · 75–86°F
- BettaNeeds careAdult ~3.3 in · 72–86°F
- Bolivian RamAdult ~3.8 in · 75–82°F
Use caution
- Nerite SnailTinfoil Barb (pH 6.5–7) and Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) prefer different pH.
- Mystery SnailTinfoil Barb (pH 6.5–7) and Mystery Snail (pH unknown) prefer different pH.
- MollyNeeds careTinfoil Barb (2–10 dGH) and Molly (15–30 dGH) prefer different water hardness.
- Assassin SnailTinfoil Barb (pH 6.5–7) and Assassin Snail (pH 7.5–8) prefer different pH.
- Blood Parrot CichlidOutgrows tanksTinfoil Barb and Blood Parrot Cichlid only share 76–77°F. That's a tight window.
- Cockatoo Dwarf CichlidTinfoil Barb (pH 6.5–7) and Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid (pH 5–6) prefer different pH.
- Electric Yellow LabNeeds careTinfoil Barb (pH 6.5–7) and Electric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) prefer different pH.
- Forktail Blue-eyeTinfoil Barb (2–10 dGH) and Forktail Blue-eye (15–30 dGH) prefer different water hardness.
Avoid
- Neon TetraTinfoil Barb eats small fish, and Neon Tetra only grows to about 1.4 in.
- Cardinal TetraTinfoil Barb eats small fish, and Cardinal Tetra only grows to about 1.7 in.
- Ember TetraTinfoil Barb eats small fish, and Ember Tetra only grows to about 0.9 in.
- Chili RasboraTinfoil Barb eats small fish, and Chili Rasbora only grows to about 0.9 in.
- Celestial Pearl DanioTinfoil Barb eats small fish, and Celestial Pearl Danio only grows to about 1 in.
- Black Neon TetraTinfoil Barb eats small fish, and Black Neon Tetra only grows to about 1.7 in.
- Glowlight TetraTinfoil Barb eats small fish, and Glowlight Tetra only grows to about 1.9 in.
- Lemon TetraTinfoil Barb eats small fish, and Lemon Tetra only grows to about 1.9 in.
All 105 species we checked against the Tinfoil Barb
| Species | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Angelfish | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Bala Shark | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Betta | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Black Skirt Tetra | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Bleeding Heart Tetra | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Bolivian Ram | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Bristlenose Pleco | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Bronze Cory | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Buenos Aires Tetra | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Cherry Barb | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Clown Loach | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Clown Pleco | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Common / Comet Goldfish | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Common Pleco | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Congo Tetra | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Denison Barb | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Diamond Tetra | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Dwarf Gourami | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Electric Blue Acara | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Firemouth Cichlid | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Giant Danio | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Glass Catfish | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Gold Barb | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Guppy | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Harlequin Rasbora | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Head-and-tail-light Tetra | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Hillstream Loach | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Honey Gourami | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Iridescent Shark | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Japanese Trapdoor Snail | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Julii Cory | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Kissing Gourami | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Kribensis | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Kuhli Loach | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Malaysian Trumpet Snail | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Odessa Barb | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Oscar | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Panda Cory | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Pearl Danio | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Pearl Gourami | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Peppered Cory | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Pictus Catfish | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Platy | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Pristella Tetra | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Rainbow Shark | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Ramshorn Snail | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Red-Tail Shark | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Rosy Barb | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Rummy-nose Tetra | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Scissortail Rasbora | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Siamese Algae Eater | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Silver Tip Tetra | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Sterbai Cory | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Swordtail | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Three-spot Gourami | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Tiger Barb | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Upside-down Catfish | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Weather Loach | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Yoyo Loach | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Zebra Danio | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Assassin Snail | Caution | Tinfoil Barb (pH 6.5–7) and Assassin Snail (pH 7.5–8) prefer different pH. |
| Blood Parrot Cichlid | Caution | Tinfoil Barb and Blood Parrot Cichlid only share 76–77°F. That's a tight window. |
| Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid | Caution | Tinfoil Barb (pH 6.5–7) and Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid (pH 5–6) prefer different pH. |
| Electric Yellow Lab | Caution | Tinfoil Barb (pH 6.5–7) and Electric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) prefer different pH. |
| Forktail Blue-eye | Caution | Tinfoil Barb (2–10 dGH) and Forktail Blue-eye (15–30 dGH) prefer different water hardness. |
| Molly | Caution | Tinfoil Barb (2–10 dGH) and Molly (15–30 dGH) prefer different water hardness. |
| Moonlight Gourami | Caution | Tinfoil Barb and Moonlight Gourami only share 77–77°F. That's a tight window. |
| Mystery Snail | Caution | Tinfoil Barb (pH 6.5–7) and Mystery Snail (pH unknown) prefer different pH.; Tinfoil Barb (2–10 dGH) and Mystery Snail (unknown dGH) prefer different water hardness. |
| Nerite Snail | Caution | Tinfoil Barb (pH 6.5–7) and Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) prefer different pH. |
| Paradise Fish | Caution | Tinfoil Barb and Paradise Fish only share 72–72°F. That's a tight window. |
| Variatus Platy | Caution | Tinfoil Barb (2–10 dGH) and Variatus Platy (14–30 dGH) prefer different water hardness. |
| African Dwarf Frog | Avoid | Tinfoil Barb eats small fish, and African Dwarf Frog only grows to about 1.4 in. |
| Amano Shrimp | Avoid | Tinfoil Barb will eat Amano Shrimp. |
| Bamboo Shrimp | Avoid | Tinfoil Barb will eat Bamboo Shrimp. |
| Black Neon Tetra | Avoid | Tinfoil Barb eats small fish, and Black Neon Tetra only grows to about 1.7 in. |
| Boesemani Rainbowfish | Avoid | Tinfoil Barb (72–77°F) and Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) need different temperatures. |
| Bumblebee Goby | Avoid | Tinfoil Barb eats small fish, and Bumblebee Goby only grows to about 1.7 in. |
| Cardinal Tetra | Avoid | Tinfoil Barb eats small fish, and Cardinal Tetra only grows to about 1.7 in. |
| Celestial Pearl Danio | Avoid | Tinfoil Barb eats small fish, and Celestial Pearl Danio only grows to about 1 in. |
| Cherry Shrimp | Avoid | Tinfoil Barb will eat Cherry Shrimp. |
| Chili Rasbora | Avoid | Tinfoil Barb eats small fish, and Chili Rasbora only grows to about 0.9 in. |
| Chinese Algae Eater | Avoid | Chinese Algae Eater is aggressive toward tankmates. Tinfoil Barb is peaceful. |
| Clown Killifish | Avoid | Tinfoil Barb eats small fish, and Clown Killifish only grows to about 1.6 in. |
| Convict Cichlid | Avoid | Convict Cichlid is aggressive toward tankmates. Tinfoil Barb is peaceful. |
| Crystal Red Shrimp | Avoid | Tinfoil Barb will eat Crystal Red Shrimp. |
| Discus | Avoid | Tinfoil Barb (72–77°F) and Discus (79–86°F) need different temperatures. |
| Ember Tetra | Avoid | Tinfoil Barb eats small fish, and Ember Tetra only grows to about 0.9 in. |
| Endler's Livebearer | Avoid | Tinfoil Barb eats small fish, and Endler's Livebearer only grows to about 1.2 in.; Tinfoil Barb (2–10 dGH) and Endler's Livebearer (15–35 dGH) prefer different water hardness. |
| Fancy Goldfish | Avoid | Tinfoil Barb (72–77°F) and Fancy Goldfish (50–70°F) need different temperatures. |
| German Blue Ram | Avoid | Tinfoil Barb (72–77°F) and German Blue Ram (81–86°F) need different temperatures.; Tinfoil Barb eats small fish, and German Blue Ram only grows to about 1.9 in. |
| Ghost Shrimp | Avoid | Tinfoil Barb will eat Ghost Shrimp. |
| Glowlight Tetra | Avoid | Tinfoil Barb eats small fish, and Glowlight Tetra only grows to about 1.9 in. |
| Lambchop Rasbora | Avoid | Tinfoil Barb eats small fish, and Lambchop Rasbora only grows to about 1.4 in. |
| Lemon Tetra | Avoid | Tinfoil Barb eats small fish, and Lemon Tetra only grows to about 1.9 in. |
| Marbled Hatchetfish | Avoid | Tinfoil Barb eats small fish, and Marbled Hatchetfish only grows to about 1.7 in. |
| Neon Tetra | Avoid | Tinfoil Barb eats small fish, and Neon Tetra only grows to about 1.4 in. |
| Otocinclus | Avoid | Tinfoil Barb eats small fish, and Otocinclus only grows to about 1.7 in. |
| Pea Puffer | Avoid | Tinfoil Barb eats small fish, and Pea Puffer only grows to about 1.4 in. |
| Penguin Tetra | Avoid | Tinfoil Barb eats small fish, and Penguin Tetra only grows to about 1.7 in. |
| Pygmy Cory | Avoid | Tinfoil Barb eats small fish, and Pygmy Cory only grows to about 1.4 in. |
| Serpae Tetra | Avoid | Tinfoil Barb eats small fish, and Serpae Tetra only grows to about 1.9 in. |
| Silver Hatchetfish | Avoid | Tinfoil Barb eats small fish, and Silver Hatchetfish only grows to about 1.9 in. |
| Sparkling Gourami | Avoid | Tinfoil Barb eats small fish, and Sparkling Gourami only grows to about 1.9 in. |
| White Cloud Mountain Minnow | Avoid | Tinfoil Barb and White Cloud Mountain Minnow only share 72–72°F. That's a tight window.; Tinfoil Barb eats small fish, and White Cloud Mountain Minnow only grows to about 1.9 in. |
Care notes
Needs: Voracious appetite strips all aquatic plants; powerful leap requires heavily weighted lids; massive waste output
Group: Powerful pelagic schooler; requires cohorts of 5 or more to prevent panic collisions and stress
Temperament: peaceful toward other fish, peaceful toward its own kind. Lives in the whole tank.
Common questions
How big does a Tinfoil Barb get?
About 17 inches (35 cm SL) as an adult, according to fishbase.se.
What size tank does a Tinfoil Barb need?
At least 83 inches long and about 200 gallons. The smallest standard tank that meets that is a 180 gallon.
How many Tinfoil Barbs should be kept together?
At least 6. Powerful pelagic schooler; requires cohorts of 5 or more to prevent panic collisions and stress
What fish can live with a Tinfoil Barb?
Species that passed every check include Harlequin Rasbora, Cherry Barb, Rummy-nose Tetra, Guppy, Platy, Honey Gourami.
Gear for a Tinfoil Barb setup
TankSmallest standard tank that meets its minimum: 180 gallon (72 in long).Find on Amazon →HeaterAbout 2 × 300 W for 180 gallons, holding 72–77°F.Find on Amazon →LidIt jumps. A full lid keeps it in the tank.Find on Amazon →FoodA quality flake or micro-pellet as a staple.Find on Amazon →Test kitCheck ammonia, nitrite and pH. Cycle the tank before adding fish.Find on Amazon →
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Related guides
Sources
Values come from these pages, in our own words. Status: verified. Last reviewed 2026-10-12.
- fishbase.se /summary/Barbonymus-schwanenfeldii.html