Order : Cypriniformes
Family : CYPRINIDAE
Species : Barbonymus schwanefeldii or schwanenfeldii
Maximum Length : 35 cm
(Fishbase, accessed 2026)

Barbonymus schwanefeldii or schwanenfeldii, formerly Barbodes schwanefeldii (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.

This species can be distinguished from other similar species by its 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. Its body is laterally-compressed and silver or silvery-gold in colour.

This fast-moving fish is mainly herbivorous, feeding on water plants and filamentous algae, but it will also take small insects and worms. Larger specimens may take small crustaceans such as freshwater prawns.

Barbonymus schwanefeldii occurs in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Sumatra and Borneo.

In Singapore, it occurs in large shoals in some inland reservoirs, however these may be the descendants of reintroduced stock.

Fig 1 : Example from Sungai Tahan, Taman Negara, Pahang, Peninisular Malaysia.  This individual was estimated as 30 cm total length.

Fig 2 : A large shoal of Barbonymus schwanefeldii in one of Singapore's inland reservoirs.

Fig 3 : View from above, showing the laterally-compressed body.


References and links :

Fishbase - Barbonymus schwanefeldii

Wikipedia - Tinfoil Barb