Red Tail Albino Tinfoil Barb Barbodes Schwanenfeldii 5cm
Image for illustration purposes only. Exact colours, patterns, and size may vary between individuals.
Delivered alive, guaranteed
Live fish delivery is £20 per order, delivered Thursday, Friday or Saturday, arriving before 1:00pm on the day you choose at checkout. Packed by aquatic specialists and shipped overnight with a dedicated livestock courier, every fish is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee with automatic refunds. See How Live Fish Delivery Works for full details.
When will my fish arrive?
| Order placed | Delivery day |
|---|---|
| Up to Monday 11:00am | Thursday (that week) |
| Monday after 11:00am – Tuesday 11:00am | Friday (that week) |
| Tuesday after 11:00am – Wednesday 11:00am | Saturday (that week) |
| Wednesday after 11:00am – Sunday (any time) | Thursday (following week) |
Overview
The Red Tail Albino Tinfoil Barb is a pale golden-white form of the tinfoil barb with pink eyes and glowing red fins, growing into a large, mirror-scaled shoaler. The species ranges across the Mekong, Chao Phraya and other big rivers of Thailand, Malaysia, Borneo and Sumatra. A fish for very large tanks and experienced keepers.
- Adult Size: Around 30–35 cm (12–14 in); females deeper-bodied
- Lifespan: 10–15 years
Origin
- Native to: Mainland Southeast Asia, Borneo and Sumatra
- Habitat: Large rivers and seasonally flooded forest and floodplains
Feeding
- Diet: Omnivorous, largely herbivorous
- Preferred Foods: Large pellets, spirulina wafers, peas, courgette, spinach, earthworms
- Feeding Habits: Feed once or twice daily with plenty of vegetable matter
Tank Mates
- Best with: Large cichlids, big catfish, clown loaches, silver dollars, other tinfoils
- Avoid: Anything small enough to swallow, timid fish, soft plants
Aggression & Behaviour
- Temperament: Peaceful but boisterous
- Territoriality: Minimal; sheer size and speed unsettle timid fish
Experience Level
- Difficulty: Intermediate to advanced
- Challenges: Rapid growth, very large adult size, eats plants
Water Parameters
- Water Type: Freshwater, soft to moderately hard, neutral
- Temperature: 20–28°C (68–82°F)
- pH: 6.0–8.0
- Hardness: 2–15 dGH
- Flow: Moderate
- Tank Size: Minimum 750 litres for a group of five or more; 200 cm long tank
Final Notes
Do not be fooled by juveniles: tinfoil barbs grow fast into big, powerful fish that outgrow most home aquariums, so buy only with a two-metre tank planned. They shoal, so keep five or more, and they strip live plants. A tight, heavy lid is essential, as they jump when startled. Sexes look alike apart from gravid females, and they are not bred in home tanks. Given space, the albino form is spectacular.
Please Note
The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Birchwood Aquatic Centre shop. Species sold at the Birchwood Aquatic Centre physical store may differ from ones available to order to your door.
Frequently Asked Questions
In insulated boxes designed for live transport, packed by aquatic specialists,
overnight with a licensed live-animal courier, arriving before 1pm.
It is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee.
Photograph it within 4 hours of delivery, email info@birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk with your order number, and the refund is processed automatically. The cover continues for 7 days after arrival.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You pick your day at checkout; please choose a day someone is home.
Yes. One basket, one checkout; the fish arrive with the specialist courier and the rest of your order ships as normal.
We can deliver to UK mainland only for live fish.
Follow the five-minute acclimatisation steps in our When Your Fish Arrive guide: float the bags, add tank water gradually, net the fish in, lights low, feed tomorrow.