20 Different Tropical Aquarium Rasboras - Rare & Common

Rasbora originates from Southeast Asia, as well as southeast China areas and have become one of the most popular aquaria kept fish due to their striking colours and playful, active nature.

Rasboras are a genus of fish from the family Cyprinidae, which means they are related to Danios, Barbs, Koi and Goldfish. There are currently 84 known species recorded in this genus. Several species are regularly kept in the home aquarium. As a common English name, "rasbora" is used for many species in the genus Rasbora.

They are peaceful and colourful fish, and many have a dark horizontal stripe. Some Rasboras can grow up to 15 cm, although most species grow to less than 10 cm, making them ideal for small to medium-sized aquariums. Popular species such as the Lambchop Rasbora, Harlequin Rasbora, Lampeye Rasbora, Brilliant Rasbora and the Scissortail Rasbora usually do not grow much bigger than 5 cm.

Rasboras are hardy and active, making them excellent beginner fish for 35-litre aquariums or larger. Smaller species such as Dwarf Emerald Rasboras as well as other different species of Boraras are relatively new to the hobby. Most of these brilliantly coloured fish max out at 2.5 cm and are perfect residents for desktop or nano aquariums of 10 to 40 litres. It would be better to purchase at least six individuals; however, groups of 25 or more are beautiful to see.

Natural habitat

Rasboras are native to the freshwater habitats in South and Southeast Asia, as well as southeast China. They mainly inhabit slow-flowing forest streams but can also be found in rivers, pools and lakes, as well as rice paddies and even ditches on the side of the road. In the wet season, they can also be found in floodplains.

They favour abundant aquatic plant growth and shallow water. The water is typically stained brown from tannins released by decaying leaves and other organic material. The pH can sometimes be as low as 4.0 in some habitats, and in different habitats, the light is often subdued due to overhanging vegetation.

Behaviour

Rasboras are peaceful fish, and most species get along great with similarly sized community fish. They enjoy swimming with members of their own kind as well as other species. Sometimes Rasboras can be victims of harassment if they are housed with more extensive, boisterous or more aggressive species.

Rasboras display interesting shoaling behaviours, usually moving in groups. They express their most impressive performance and show their brightest colours in larger groups.

In the aquarium

Even though some Rasboras, especially members of the genus Boraras, are found in very soft and slightly acidic water, most aquarium species sold today are raised commercially in water with higher alkalinity and pH than their natural environment.

Rasboras' pH should be somewhere between 6.8 and 7.8, the alkalinity between 50 ppm to 140 ppm, and the temperature between 75 degrees Fahrenheit and 80 degrees Farenheight. If you keep your aquarium in a room below 75 degrees Fahrenheit, it is advisable that you use an aquarium heater in order to maintain the correct temperature. It is essential that you maintain good filtration and perform regular water changes, not forgetting to treat tap water with de-chlorinator before refilling your aquarium.

Rasboras are happiest in a well-planted aquarium with a dark substrate as they will be less stressed and show their best colours. You should provide a filter with a gentle current; this will simulate the slow-moving streams they live in nature. Make sure you have a secure lid on the aquarium to prevent them from jumping out.

You can house Rasboras with small Tetras, Celestial Pearl Danios, Pentazona Barbs, Croaking Gouramis, Sparkling Gouramis and Chocolate Gouramis, Guppies and Platies. You can also keep them with other Rasbora species as well as suitable bottom dwellers such as Kuhli and other small peaceful Loaches, Corydoras Catfish and Otocinclus.

Dwarf Rasboras in the genus Boraras are best kept in a species-only tank; however, you can also house them with Dwarf Shrimp due to their small size.

Breeding

A majority of Rasbora species kept by hobbyists are egg scatterers. They distribute their eggs amongst plants and aquarium decor and show no parental care towards there young.

Lambchop Rasboras, Harlequin Rasboras and a few other Rasbora species attach their eggs to plant leaves' underside. Healthy adult fish kept in an established, well-planted aquarium will sometimes produce fry without human intervention.

Feeding

Most Rasboras are considered micro-predators. This means they feed on worms and tiny crustaceans, small insects and zooplankton in the wild.

Rasboras will thrive on high quality dried foods such as tropical flakes, tropical granules and Shrimp pellets. For tiny species, crush dried foods to match the size of their mouth is advisable. You can also supply them with live and frozen foods as treats or to help condition the fish ready for spawning. It would help if you alternated their diet daily for optimum results and only provide what they are able to consume in 2 or 3 minutes, once or twice a day.

Frquently asked questions about the Rasboras

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