Help Needed With Tinfoil Barbs

Rick-UK · Aug 7, 2011

Hi Guys,

I have my 240 litre tank running lovely, everyone is happy, water is perfect....

I've currently got 10 neon tetra's, a couple of Pleco's, a couple of Angelfish, some blue, red, gold Gourami, Clown Loaches and some Rainbowfish.

Now this is where I think I made an error. Yesterday I decided to visit Viking Aquatics as I wanted to add something different. The guy I spoke to in length advised I could get Tinfoil Barbs as they looked good and would be a great addition to my tank. Three of them have been in my tank since yesterday (they are about 1 and a half inches long). I came home and have done alot of research. Not only am I worried about how HUGE they get but they are literally swimming rings round my other fish.

Have I made a terrible mistake and should I get rid of them? They seem to have messed up the balance in my tank.

Thanks,
Rick

minnnt · Aug 7, 2011

Hi Rick. Welcome to the forum!

Unfortunately these kind of impulse buys (and wrongly advised buys!) are quite common so don't be too hard on yourself. :good:

I believe you will need to be taking these back as they have the potential to become very big and will almost certainly take over your tank and indeed outgrow it... several times over really. I would be looking at something 6ft to house a small group of these.

You would be much better suited to Denisonii Barbs (also called Torpedo Barbs)

People learn from their mistakes mate, i have made plenty, i think everyone on this site has been swayed at some point to buy an unsuitable fish, it's only natural. All you can do is learn to research before you buy and don't let the typical LFS talk you into it to make a sale. If you go armed with as much info as possible then you stand a better chance of arguing the toss should you need to. I was in a very similar situation today with a Blue Texas Cichlid, but i resisted and have researched it.

Chin up mate, you'll get it sorted, i'm sure!

Rick-UK · Aug 8, 2011

Thanks mate! I took them back today and got a ruby shark and a baby clown loach. Much happier now!

minnnt · Aug 8, 2011

Your Clown Loach should be in a group and also get quite big. You will also have to watch them with the shark as they're a similar shape. Ruby Sharks are less aggressive than Red Tail Sharks though, so this is a good point. :good: