Home · Cyprinidae · Red-tailed tinfoil barb
Red-tailed tinfoil barb (Barbonymus altus) — Cyprinidae

Red-tailed tinfoil barb

Barbonymus altus
Family: Cyprinidae

The Red-tailed tinfoil barb (Barbonymus altus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Red-tailed tinfoil barb is a cyprinid (Cyprinidae) from fresh water of the Mekong and Chao Phraya basins in Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 25 cm and has a silvery, streamlined body. As a schooling fish it swims in rivers and streams and eats small invertebrates, insects, algae and detritus. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Red-tailed tinfoil barb?

The Red-tailed tinfoil barb has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Red-tailed tinfoil barb live?

The Red-tailed tinfoil barb lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Red-tailed tinfoil barb get?

The Red-tailed tinfoil barb grows to a maximum of about 25 cm. On average the species is around 15 cm.

Is the Red-tailed tinfoil barb dangerous to humans?

No, the Red-tailed tinfoil barb is harmless to humans.

Is the Red-tailed tinfoil barb edible?

Yes, the Red-tailed tinfoil barb is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Roodstaart-tinfoilbarbeel sourced
English name
Red-tailed tinfoil barb sourced
Scientific name
Barbonymus altus
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Red tailed tinfoil verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
25.0 verified
Average length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Barbonymus

More from the family Cyprinidae

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