Aquarium Fish Experts fish tanks

Family: Cyprinidae

Distribution: Trigonostigma heteromorpha, commonly known as the Harlequin Rasbora, is found in Thailand, Sumatra, Singapore and Malaysia.  It is distributed in streams and other forest swamp waters.

PH: 5.0 – 7.0

Temperature: 23°C – 28C (73 – 82F)

Hardness: 5 – 12 dH

Description: Trigonostigma heteromorpha can reach a length of 3 – 5 cm in an aquarium.   This species has an orange-pink colouration from its head to the caudal peduncle.  Its posterior half has a big triangular marking that begins below the midpoint of its dorsal fin and thins out towards its tail.  Its dorsal, caudal, pelvic and anal fins are tinted a reddish colour and the caudal fin is forked.  Males are thinner and have a brighter colouration to females.  This species has a lifespan of approximately six years.

Diet: Trigonostigma heteromorpha is an omnivore and will eat most store-purchased foods, but you should feed it a varied diet that includes live and frozen foods.

Breeding: The Harlequin Rasbora is similar to the Glowlight Rasbora in that females will attach their eggs to broad leaves, as opposed to the usual Rasbora practice of scattering the eggs.  The female can deposit up to 300 eggs, but it is usually around the 80 – 100 mark.   Remove the parents as soon as you see the eggs on the underside of a plant leaf, as they exhibit no parental care and may eat the eggs.  When spawning Trigonostigma heteromorpha, make sure the water is soft and acidic and that you maintain the given water parameters.  The eggs will hatch in 24 hours and the fry can be fed powdered fry food or Infusoria until large enough to accept bigger foods such as flake.

Comments: Trigonostigma heteromorpha should be housed in a tank that is at least 40 litres in volume.  This fish will prefer a heavily vegetated tank that resembles its natural environment, including floating plants, a dark substrate and several roots and branches.  It is recommended your tank is dimly lit and that you provide plenty of open swimming space.  While it is not essential, Trigonostigma heteromorpha has a preference for water that has been filtrated through peat. This species requires a moderate level of care and is probably not suitable for beginners.

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Recommended Compatible Species: Trigonostigma heteromorpha should be kept in large groups of at least 8 – 10. They will live happily with Tetraspecies (particularly the Neon Tetraand Black Tetra). They are also great tank mates with Discus, Apistogramma‘s like Apistogramma Cacatouides and Apistogramma Borelli, CorydorasCatfish  (particularly Corydoras Sterbaiand Corydoras aeneus) Angelfish, Clown loach, the common Guppyand Platyand most Gourami(such as the Blue Gourami and Dwarf Gourami like the Honey Gourami) Also can live happily with most Danio(particularly the Zebra Danioand Pearl Danio)  and also many Killifish make great tank mates.

Family: Cyprinidae

Distribution: Rasbora vaterifloris, also known as Pearly Rasbora, is a Sri Lankan freshwater species found in the middle catchment area of the Nilwala and Kalu basins.  It is generally found in shallow, sheltered forest streams. 

PH: 6.0

Temperature: 25°C – 29C (77 – 84F)

Hardness: 5 – 8 dH

Description: Rasbora vaterifloris can reach a maximum length of around 4 cm. Depending on where it is found, this species can vary in colour from red-orange to blue.  The red, orange and yellow-finned forms are very highly sought in the aquarium hobby, but the Pearly Rasbora is quite a rare species.  Males are slimmer and have a brighter colouration to females.

Diet: The Three-lined Rasbora is not a fussy eater in an aquarium environment; in the wild it is said to eat small insects and organic detritus.  You can feed it dried food and daily meals of small live and frozen foods – Daphnia and Artemia in particular – to keep it healthy and vibrant.

Breeding: Rasbora vateriflorisis an egg-scatterer that exhibits no parental care; it is also reportedly extremely difficult to breed in a tank.  A peat fibre substrate is recommended as it replaces the silty conditions that it is used to in the wild; it will also stop the parents from devouring the eggs.  Provide plenty of plants in your tank – Java moss will provide some cover for the fish – and have a very gentle filtration in your tank.  This species is best spawned in groups of 5 – 6; eggs can number around 20 or more.  The fry hatches in 24 – 48 hours and can take several months to reach adult size.

Comments: You can house a small group of Rasbora vaterifloris in a 70 litre tank.  Your tank should have plenty of open swimming space, a dark substrate, and plantation in the form of dried leaf litter and driftwood roots.    The Pearly Rasbora will appreciate a dimly lit tank and small, regular water changes to keep it healthy. Given the strict water requirements during breeding and in general, Rasbora vaterifloris is probably better suited to hobbyists with some experience.

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Recommended Compatible Species: Rasbora vaterifloris, a schooling species, is quite shy and should be kept in groups of about a dozen.  They will live happily with most Tetra species (particularly the Neon Tetraand Black Tetra). They are also great tank mates with Discus, Apistogramma‘s like Apistogramma Cacatouides and Apistogramma Borelli, CorydorasCatfish  (particularly Corydoras Sterbai and Corydoras aeneus) Angelfish, Clown loach, the common Guppyand Platyand most Gourami(such as the Blue Gourami and Dwarf Gourami like the Honey Gourami) Also can live happily with most Danio(particularly the Zebra Danioand Pearl Danio)  and also many Killifish make great tank mates.

Family: Cyprinidae

Distribution: Rasbora trilineata, commonly known as Three-lined Rasbora, is a popular Asian freshwater species found in the Malay Peninsula, Borneo and Sumatra, as well as the Chao Phraya and Mekong basins.  It is generally found in slow-flowing rivers, lakes, swamps and forest habitats. 

PH: 6.0 – 8.0

Temperature: 23°C – 25C (74 – 77F)

Hardness: 5 – 12 dH

Description: Rasbora trilineata can reach a maximum length of around 13 cm. This slim, elongated species has a dark lateral stripe that runs down its body from the pectoral fins to the caudal peduncle.  It has a sharply forked caudal fin, which is the reason it is sometimes called the Scissortail Rasbora.  Its fins are translucent except for the caudal fin, which has some black and yellow bands and white tips.  This species can live for 5 – 8 years.

Diet: The Three-lined Rasbora is not a fussy eater in an aquarium environment.  You can feed it Daphnia, bloodworm, flake, pellets and brine shrimp to keep it healthy and bring out its best colours.

Breeding: Rasbora trilineata is an egg-scatterer that exhibits no parental care; it is also reportedly very tough to breed in a tank.  You will need your water to be soft and acidic, and the tank must be super clean otherwise the eggs and fry will perish.  Provide plenty of plants in your tank because the females will deposit their eggs between the plants.  Remove the parents after spawning to stop them from eating the eggs.  Eggs are sensitive and you should add an antibiotic to the water to keep them alive, as well as continually making water changes.  The fry hatches in 24 hours and can be given nauplii immediately.

Comments: You can house a small group of Rasbora trilineata in a 20 gallon tank.  Your tank should have plenty of open swimming space and plantation.  The water is best when it is slightly acidic, and you should employ peat filtration in the tank.  You might also choose to add a dark soil substrate and some shade for this upper-middle dwelling species.  A tight lid on the top of the tank is a must to prevent the Three-lined Rasbora from jumping out.  Given the strict water requirements during breeding, it is probably better suited to hobbyists with some experience.

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Recommended Compatible Species: Rasbora trilineata should be kept in groups of 4 – 8.  They will live happily with most Tetra species (particularly the Neon Tetraand Black Tetra). They are also great tank mates with Discus, Apistogramma‘s like Apistogramma Cacatouides and Apistogramma Borelli, CorydorasCatfish  (particularly Corydoras Sterbai and Corydoras aeneus) Angelfish, Clown loach, the common Guppyand Platyand most Gourami(such as the Blue Gourami and Dwarf Gourami like the Honey Gourami) Also can live happily with most Danio(particularly the Zebra Danioand Pearl Danio)  and also many Killifish make great tank mates.

Family: Cyprinidae

Distribution: Rasbora steineri, commonly known as Chinese Rasbora, is an Asian freshwater species found in Vietnam, Laos and south-eastern China. 

PH: 6.0 – 6.5

Temperature: 22°C – 24C (72 – 75F)

Hardness: 10 – 15 dH

Description: Rasbora steineri can reach a maximum length of around 10 cm, but is often smaller.  It has a dark lateral stripe that runs down its entire body and a curved line that goes to the bottom of the body.  It has a blotch-less dorsal fin and four and a half scales between its dark lateral stripe and the origin of its dorsal fin.  It is often mistaken for other small fish.

Diet: This rare species probably eats invertebrates in the wild, but has a preference for dried foods in an aquarium environment.  You can feed it Daphnia, bloodworm and other live foods to prime it for breeding and also to bring out its best colours.

Breeding: There is not much information available on Rasbora steineri but, like most cyprinids, it is probably an egg-scatterer that exhibits no parental care.  You should provide a mesh netting at the base of your tank for the eggs to fall through out of harm’s way, so as to stop them being eaten by the parents.

Comments: You can house a small group of Rasbora steineri in a 200 litre tank.  Your tank should resemble this species’ natural habitat – hill streams and lower areas of lowland streams – as closely as possible.  Rasbora steineri is extremely rare and was once thought to be extinct locally.  Given the lack of information and the sheer rareness of this species, it is probably better suited to hobbyists with some experience.

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Recommended Compatible Species: They will live happily with most Tetra species (particularly the Neon Tetraand Black Tetra). They are also great tank mates with Discus, Apistogramma‘s like Apistogramma Cacatouides and Apistogramma Borelli, CorydorasCatfish  (particularly Corydoras Sterbai and Corydoras aeneus) Angelfish, Clown loach, the common Guppyand Platyand most Gourami(such as the Blue Gourami and Dwarf Gourami like the Honey Gourami) Also can live happily with most Danio(particularly the Zebra Danioand Pearl Danio)  and also many Killifish make great tank mates.

Family: Cyprinidae

Distribution: Rasbora kalochroma, commonly known as Clown Rasbora, is an Asian freshwater species found in the Malay Peninsula – the states of Selangor, Pahang, Johor and Terengganu – and the Greater Sunda Islands of Sumatra and Borneo; it resides in black water streams and peat swamps.

PH: 5.0 – 7.5

Temperature: 23°C – 28C (72 – 82F)

Hardness: 2 – 10 dH

Description: Rasbora kalochroma can reach a maximum length of around 10 cm.  Females are generally stockier and larger than males; males have a darker, brighter pigmentation to females.  This species resembles the Harlequin Rasbora almost exactly, but the Clown Rasbora is slightly larger.

Diet: This omnivorous species will accept most foods in an aquarium environment.  You can feed it a staple diet of quality flakes and granules, alongside daily helpings of Daphnia, bloodworms and Artemia.

Breeding: The Clown Rasbora is an egg-scattering species that is will spawn well if in good condition.  The breeding tank should be dimly lit and the base covered with a mesh to catch the eggs and keep them safe from the adults, who will eat them.  Eggs will hatch within 18 – 48 hours and the fry will be swimming within the next two days.

Comments: You can house a small group of Rasbora kalochroma in a 255 litre tank.  Your tank should have plenty of open swimming space and a few driftwood branches.  The tank should be dimly lit and have several densely planted zones, dried leaf litter and a sandy substrate in order to create a natural feel.  Have a tight lid to prevent it from jumping out of the tank.  Rasbora kalochroma requires spotless water conditions to thrive and is recommended to those hobbyists with experience.

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Recommended Compatible Species: This peaceful fish is best housed in groups of 8 – 10.  This fish displays its best colours when in the company of its own species.  They will live happily with most Tetra species (particularly the Neon Tetraand Black Tetra). They are also great tank mates with Discus, Apistogramma‘s like Apistogramma Cacatouides and Apistogramma Borelli, CorydorasCatfish  (particularly Corydoras Sterbai and Corydoras aeneus) Angelfish, Clown loach, the common Guppy and Platyand most Gourami(such as the Blue Gourami and Dwarf Gourami like the Honey Gourami) Also can live happily with most Danio(particularly the Zebra Danioand Pearl Danio)  and also many Killifish make great tank mates.

Family: Cyprinidae

Distribution: Rasbora einthovenii, commonly known as Brilliant Rasbora, is an Asian freshwater species found in the Malay Peninsula and Indonesia, mostly in forest streams.

PH: 6.0 – 6.5

Temperature: 22°C – 26C (71 – 79F)

Hardness: 4 – 10 dH

Description: Rasbora einthovenii can reach a maximum length of around 9 cm.  Males are smaller and slimmer than the females, who have a deeper body shape in comparison.  This species is similar to Rasbora jacobsoni but lacks its dark reticulated scales above the lateral stripe.  The Brilliant Rasbora’s stripe is more uneven than in any other species of Rasbora; this species’ body also has a pink background colour and a lateral stripe that extends through and beyond its eye.  Rasbora einthovenii can live for 3 – 5 years.

Diet: This omnivorous species will accept most foods in an aquarium environment.  You can feed it a staple diet of quality flake, supplemented with white worms, bloodworms and brine shrimp.

Breeding: The Brilliant Rasbora is an egg-laying species that is tough to breed in a captive environment.  You should add moss, spawning mops or fine-leaved plants to your tank as spawning sites.  You might choose to cover your tank’s base with a mesh netting to catch the eggs and protect them from the cannibalistic adults; adults exhibit no parental care.  Eggs will hatch within 24 – 48 hours and the fry can be fed Infusoria until large enough to receive crushed flake.

Comments: You can house a small group of Brilliant Rasbora in a 110 litre tank.  Your tank should be dimly lit and have several densely planted zones, a soft, sandy substrate and some dried leaf litter to create a natural feel.  Have a tight lid to prevent Rasbora einthovenii from jumping out of the tank.  You should make plenty of water changes to keep this species happy.  The Brilliant Rasbora is easy to care for and is suitable for newcomers to the hobby.

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Recommended Compatible Species: Rasbora einthovenii is a lively species that should be housed in groups of at least six.  They will live happily with most Tetra species (particularly the Neon Tetraand Black Tetra). They are also great tank mates with Discus, Apistogramma‘s like Apistogramma Cacatouides and Apistogramma Borelli, CorydorasCatfish  (particularly Corydoras Sterbai and Corydoras aeneus) Angelfish, Clown loach, the common Guppyand Platyand most Gourami(such as the Blue Gourami and Dwarf Gourami like the Honey Gourami) Also can live happily with most Danio(particularly the Zebra Danioand Pearl Danio)  and also many Killifish make great tank mates.

Family: Cyprinidae

Distribution: Rasbora dusonensis, commonly known as Rosefin Rasbora, is an Asian freshwater species found in the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo, and in the Mekong and Chao Phraya basins.  It prefers slow currents and is usually found near or at the surface of large rivers.

PH: 5.0 – 7.5

Temperature: 23°C – 26C (73 – 79F)

Hardness: 2 – 12 dH

Description: Rasbora dusonensis can reach a maximum length of around 12 cm.  It has a dark grey mid-lateral stripe which doesn’t extend onto the caudal fin.  The caudal fin usually has a black posterior margin; there are three scale rows between the mid-lateral stripe and the mid-ventral row.  Females are rounder-bellied than males and, in many cases, slightly larger.

Diet: This omnivorous species will accept dried foods in an aquarium environment; a daily meal of live and frozen food will enable Rasbora dusonensis to display its most prominent colouration.

Breeding: The Rosefin Rasbora is an egg-scattering, continuous spawning species that is tough to breed in a captive environment.  You could try keeping the adult group in a long, shallow tank that is half-filled with water, dimly lit and covered with a mesh so catch the eggs and protect them from the cannibalistic adults.  The water should be slightly acidic to neutral and at the warm end of the advised temperature spectrum.  After conditioning the adults on live foods, introduce them to a tank and add small amounts of cool water every few hours to trigger spawning.  Remember to remove the adults from the tank once the eggs are apparent.  The eggs will hatch in 18 – 48 hours and the young will be swimming freely 1 – 2 days later.

Comments: You could probably house a small group of Rosefin Rasbora in a 255 litre tank.  Your tank should have plenty of open swimming space, as well as densely planted zones, a rocky substrate and plenty of water movement.  Have a tight lid to prevent Rasbora dusonensis from jumping out of the tank.  This species requires moderate care and is suitable for people with some experience in the hobby.

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Recommended Compatible Species: Rasbora dusonensis is a peaceful species that should be housed in groups of at least six to calm its nerves.  They will live happily with most Tetra species (particularly the Neon Tetraand Black Tetra). They are also great tank mates with Discus, Apistogramma‘s like Apistogramma Cacatouides and Apistogramma Borelli, CorydorasCatfish  (particularly Corydoras Sterbai and Corydoras aeneus) Angelfish, Clown loach, the common Guppyand Platyand most Gourami(such as the Blue Gourami and Dwarf Gourami like the Honey Gourami) Also can live happily with most Danio(particularly the Zebra Danioand Pearl Danio)  and also many Killifish make great tank mates.

Family: Cyprinidae

Distribution: Rasbora caudimaculata, commonly known as Greater Scissortail, is an Asian freshwater species found in forest creeks and at the surface of streams; it is distributed throughout Malaysian and Indonesian waters, and in the lower Mekong basin.    

PH: 6.0 – 7.0

Temperature: 20°C – 26C (68 – 79F)

Hardness: 5 – 10 dH

Description: Rasbora caudimaculata can reach a maximum length of around 17 cm.  This elongated fish has a somewhat colourless body, except for a thin yellow line that stretches horizontally down its lateral line.   Its caudal fin is red with black tips.  Males are slimmer than females and have more yellow in their anal fins.  This species can live from 8 – 10 years.

Diet: This omnivorous species will accept most foods in an aquarium environment, including quality flake or pellets, brine shrimp, Daphnia, Tubifex and bloodworm.

Breeding: There is yet to be any documented proof of this species being bred in an aquarium environment.  It is likely to breed the same way as other Rasbora species.

Comments: You could probably house a small group of Greater Scissortail in a 30 gallon tank.  Your tank should have plenty of open swimming space, as well as several hiding spaces and a secure lid to stop the fish from jumping out.  You should also put plenty of plants in your tank to simulate its natural environment.  This species requires moderate care and is suited to experienced hobbyists.

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Recommended Compatible Species: Rasbora caudimaculata should be housed in groups of five or more.  They will live happily with most Tetra species (particularly the Neon Tetraand Black Tetra). They are also great tank mates with Discus, Apistogramma‘s like Apistogramma Cacatouides and Apistogramma Borelli, CorydorasCatfish  (particularly Corydoras Sterbai and Corydoras aeneus) Angelfish, Clown loach, the common Guppy and Platyand most Gourami(such as the Blue Gourami and Dwarf Gourami like the Honey Gourami) Also can live happily with most Danio(particularly the Zebra Danioand Pearl Danio)  and also many Killifish make great tank mates.

Family: Cyprinidae

Distribution: Rasbora borapetensis, commonly known as Blackline Rasbora, is an Asian freshwater species found in the Chao Phraya, Mekong and Meklong basins, and in the northern Malay Peninsula; it is distributed in streams, drains and ponds – usually in slow, turbid waters.    

PH: 6.5 – 7.0

Temperature: 22°C – 26C (72 – 79F)

Hardness: 5 – 12 dH

Description: Rasbora borapetensis can reach a maximum length of around 6 cm.  This streamlined, silver fish has a distinctive dark brown or black stripe that stretches from its gills to the front of the caudal fin base.  Directly above the black line is a golden stripe.  It has a caudal fin that is bright red; the two sexes are remarkably similar but females are a bit bigger than males.

Diet: This omnivorous species will accept most foods in an aquarium environment, including live foods, frozen foods, flake and dried foods.

Breeding: This egg-laying species will require daily water changes and live food to spawn.  Females will produce 30 – 40 eggs; it is probably a good idea to remove the adults as soon as you see the eggs as they will definitely try to eat them.  The eggs hatch in around 36 hours and the young will be feeding two days later.

Comments: You could probably house a small group of Blackline Rasbora in a 12 gallon tank.  Your tank should have plenty of open swimming space, as well as being densely planted and as dimly lit as possible; provide floating plants at the top of the tank for shade.   This species is suitable for newcomers to the hobby.

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Recommended Compatible Species: Rasbora borapetensis should be housed in groups of 5 – 6.  This middle-high dwelling species will live happily with most Tetra species (particularly the Neon Tetraand Black Tetra). They are also great tank mates with Discus, Apistogramma‘s like Apistogramma Cacatouides and Apistogramma Borelli, CorydorasCatfish  (particularly Corydoras Sterbai and Corydoras aeneus) Angelfish, Clown loach, the common Guppy and Platyand most Gourami(such as the Blue Gourami and Dwarf Gourami like the Honey Gourami) Also can live happily with most Danio(particularly the Zebra Danioand Pearl Danio)  and also many Killifish make great tank mates.

Information will be coming soon