Compatibility brief
Can Emerald catfish (Brochis) live with Tinfoil barb?
Caution. Check the issues below before buying.
Compatibility score
Profile confidence: medium
Order of checkstank volume vs adults → predation mouth gap → temperament / fin nipping → shared water windows.
500L
Combined minimum footprint reference for these two species: about 500L (larger active fish often want more length).
Tinfoil barb (35cm adult) may treat small Emerald catfish (Brochis) (~7cm) as food once grown — plan adult sizes, not shop sizes.
Assessment details
Caution advised
Top issueA 35cm tinfoil school outpaces and outcompetes a 7cm bottom catfish at every meal, and the constant traffic keeps brochis pinned to cover. Armour prevents predation; it does not prevent chronic stress in the wrong tank class.
Compatible temperaments
Both Emerald catfish (Brochis) and Tinfoil barb share a peaceful temperament.
Compatible temperature range
Both fish can comfortably share similar water temperatures.
“Caution advised”
Caution advised
Next steps
Concrete changes, not "research more" filler.
- •Emerald catfish (Brochis) should be kept in a group of at least 5 for best health and behaviour.
- •Tinfoil barb should be kept in a group of at least 5 for best health and behaviour.
- •Tinfoil barb reaches ~35cm: tank length and turning room matter more than the litre number. A tall, short tank of the same volume is not equivalent.
- Seriously Fish. Corydoras splendens
Primary: aquarium size, water chemistry, behaviour, and compatibility (URL verified in upgrade script; recheck if site content changes).
- FishBase. Corydoras splendens
Secondary: taxonomy, distribution, and maximum length in nature; cross-check with aquarium import lines and measured tank parameters.
- Wikipedia. Corydoras splendens
Secondary: general species context; verify all husbandry numbers against a dedicated aquarium care sheet and your test kit, not a single table row.
- Seriously Fish. Barbonymus schwanenfeldii
Primary: aquarium size, water chemistry, behaviour, and compatibility (URL verified in upgrade script; recheck if site content changes).
- FishBase. Barbonymus schwanenfeldii
Secondary: taxonomy, distribution, and maximum length in nature; cross-check with aquarium import lines and measured tank parameters.
- Wikipedia. Barbonymus schwanenfeldii
Secondary: general species context; verify all husbandry numbers against a dedicated aquarium care sheet and your test kit, not a single table row.
Try this next
Build the full stocking list with Emerald catfish (Brochis) + Tinfoil barb
Plan further
Check each species’ mates list, size the glass, then verify the full stock in the builder. Methodology explains how verdicts are produced.
Individual fish vary in personality. Fishori uses conservative hobby rules. Observe any new introduction closely, feed thoughtfully, and keep a quarantine or backup plan. This is not veterinary advice.
Profile data confidence: high. Checked against several solid care sources that mostly agree.