Thailand

The Exciting Thing About The Tinfoil Barb

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Many different fishes from the Cyprinid family are referred to as barbs, but it is chiefly the species found in the genus Barbus that we consider true barbs. The name Barbus is derived from the fact that barb fishes are equipped with sensatory organs called barbells that they can use to find their way in murky waters where light is scarce. The genus Barbus is also known as Puntius and contains a wide range of popular aquarium fishes, including the silvery Tinfoil barb (Barbus schwanefeldi).

The Tinfoil barb has a silvery body with bright and shiny scales and beautiful black and red-orange fins. The Tinfoil barb is sometimes confused with another species in the aquarium trade, Barbonymus altus, but this fish lacks the black lines that decorates the caudal fin of a true Tinfoil barb.

The Tinfoil barb is an active species that will inhabit the lower part of the aquarium, from the bottom and up to mid-level. Most Tinfoil barbs in the aquarium trade are wild caught, since their size makes them difficult to breed in captivity. Sexing the fish is also hard. Tinfoil barbs are egg-scatters and a female Tinfoil barb can produce several thousands of eggs during one spawning.

Tinfoil barbs should only be kept by aquarists with really large aquariums, since it is one of the largest barbs and can reach a length of 36 centimeters (14 inches). It is also a schooling species, so you must have enough space to house a group of Tinfoil barbs. A school of Tinfoil barbs is non-aggressive and can be combined with fish from other species as long as those fishes are as large as the barbs or bigger.

The Tinfoil barb feeds chiefly on plant material, but will not turn down occasional treats in the form of worms, insects, crustaceans or small fishes. Keeping your Tinfoil barbs with small fishes is therefore not recommended, since they might be perceived as prey. It is not hard to get your Tinfoil barb to eat in captivity. If you have tender plants in the aquarium, or plants that have not yet rooted themselves in the substrate, your Tinfoil barb might eat them.

The Tinfoil barb will also appreciate filamentous algae. Many aquarists choose artificial plants for their Tinfoil barb aquarium, but you can go for real plants if you choose sturdy plant species that will tolerate nibbling. Ideally begin with really inexpensive plant species to test how your particular Tinfoil barbs will treat the live plants.

The Tinfoil barb originates from tropical waters in Borneo, Sumatra, Thailand, and the Malayan peninsula, and the water temperature in the aquarium should therefore be 22-25 C (72-77 F). Since it inhabits rapidly moving rivers and streams in the wild, the Tinfoil barb will appreciate strong currents in the aquarium. The preferred pH is in the 6.5-7.0 range and the water hardness should not be higher than 10 dGH. If you care for your Tinfoil barbs and provide them with a suitable environment and appropriate diet they can live for 8-10 years.

Bangkok Aquarium Get as Close as You Wish to Marine Life!

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Siam Ocean World at the size of three Olympic swimming pools (around 110 000 sq feet) is one of the largest aquariums in South East Asia. It is also popularly known as the Bangkok Aquarium and is on the top of the list of sites to see for anyone visiting Thailand.

This underground water world is innovatively designed so as to take its visitors on an aquatic journey through seven different zones collectively known as the deep blue sea. Each of these seven zones is carefully and creatively housed with world-class exhibits and over 30,000 curious looking creatures from various depths and aquatic regions across the globe.

Guests to the deep blue sea begins the tour with a introduction at the -weird and wonderful zone- which show cases rare and queer looking ocean beings like the nautiluses, colonies of garden eels, striped frogfish that camouflage themselves and huge spider crabs that could grow up to 3m in diameter.

Next up is the ‘Deep Reef’ featuring some of the most fascinating reef dwellers in the world. Most of these fish flaunt beautiful designs and vibrant colours, among them one could see the attractive spade shaped laterally compressed bat fish, endangered species such as the humped head Maori Wrasse and blue tangs that are popular as the -dori- fish in the movie Finding Nemo.

At the next zone the -rocky shore- meet some of the best loved marine creatures. observe the penguins and other marine mammals learn to survive under constant change in the ever-changing and challenging environment. Kids will enjoy the Feeding Rocky Shore Talk and an opportunity to get close to the Penguins and even feed them.

The next attraction and perhaps the highlight for many is the 270-degree underwater tunnel named the ‘Open Ocean’, it is known to be the biggest oceanarium in Asia. The open ocean broadens your choices of viewing these magnificent sea creatures you could either sneak a peek at the sea creatures throught the boat’s glass- bottom fixed for observation. And finally at the -Sea Jellies’ zone watch the transaculant invertebrates float about in LED lit tanks to what seems like the rhythm of the background symphony.

Produced by four dimensional theatre seats the Sanyo 4d -xventure creates an virtual water world that is so real it will have you giggling and screaming as the sharks swim towards you or the friendly fish try to nibble at your feet.

If you wish to visit the Bangkok aquarium and explore the unique cultural identity and natural bounty of Thailand try out a Bangkok cruise tour. For an enthralling Bangkok cruises step aboard one of the Anantara cruises Thailand and be a part of a historical voyage as you cruise in a 100 year old rice barg with all the modern day comforts.