Order : Cypriniformes
Family : CYPRINIDAE
Species : Barbodes schwanenfeldii
Maximum Length : 40 cm

The Tinfoil Barb, or Striped-tailed Tinfoil Barb, is a gregarious shoaling, pelagic fish sleek in form. It inhabits streams, rivers, ditches and lakes with neutral pH.  It is a food source for rural dwellers, and a popular aquarium fish.

It is distinguished from other similar species by the red dorsal fin which terminates in a black tip. Other fins are also deep red, and the tail fin has a black stripe on each lobe. The body is laterally-compressed and silver or silver-gold.

The species is mainly herbivorous, feeding on water plants and filamentous algae, but will also take small insects and worms. Larger specimens will take small crustaceans such as freshwater prawns.

The Tinfoil Barb ranges from Thailand and Indochina through Peninsular Malaysia to Sumatra and Borneo. In Singapore the species may have become locally extinct but there is now evidence of reintroduced feral populations.

Fig 1 : A 30cm specimen in the crystal clear water of Sungei Tahan, Taman Negara, Pahang, Peninisular Malaysia.

Fig 2 : A large shoal of Tinfoil Barb in one of Singapore's inland reservoirs.

Fig 3 : The body is laterally-compressed and sleek in form.