Red Cherry Rasbora - Rasbora lacrimula Fish Profile & Care Guide
Introduction
The Red Cherry Rasbora (Rasbora lacrimula) is a small Southeast Asian cyprinid from the Mahakam River drainage in East Kalimantan on Borneo, Indonesia. It was described in 2009 by Renny Kurnia Hadiaty and Maurice Kottelat, and typically reaches about 4 cm in length. The Red Cherry Rasbora is a peaceful, midwater shoaling species that looks and behaves best when kept in a proper group rather than as singles or pairs. Aim for a shoal of at least 6, with larger groups usually producing tighter schooling, calmer behaviour and stronger colour once the fish settle. In a confident shoal, you will see more natural “display” behaviour, with males showing brighter tones as they spar and posture without serious aggression.
For Red Cherry Rasboras, choose tankmates that are similarly small, calm and comfortable in soft, acidic conditions. Think along the lines of other peaceful nano fish, gentle labyrinth fish (small gouramis) and quiet bottom dwellers that will not harass them or dominate feeding. Avoid larger, boisterous species and anything nippy or highly competitive at mealtimes, as these rasboras do best when they can school openly without being pressured.
For the ideal setup for Red Cherry Rasboras, base the aquarium around stability, planting and a softwater feel. A mature, heavily planted setup with darker substrate, some fine wood and shaded areas helps them settle, and their colours tend to intensify in well-planted surroundings. Keep water on the soft and slightly acidic side where possible, and run temperatures in the mid-20s °C. For space, a longer, well-filtered aquarium is preferable for a shoal, and general rasbora guidance suggests at least 45 litres for the smallest species, with bigger volumes giving steadier water quality and more natural schooling room.
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Photos
Sexual Dimorphism
Sexing Red Cherry Rasboras is possible once the fish are mature, but the differences are fairly subtle and easiest to judge when you have a small group to compare. Adult males tend to be slimmer, slightly smaller overall, and noticeably more intensely coloured, especially when in breeding condition. Females are typically deeper-bodied with a fuller belly, which becomes more obvious when they are carrying eggs. Colour-wise, females are usually a little less vivid than males, particularly compared with “fired up” males that are ready to spawn.
Quick Facts
| Scientific Name | Rasbora lacrimula |
|---|---|
| Year Described | 2009 |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Classification | Actinopterygii |
| Order | Cypriniformes |
| Family | Danionidae |
| Genus | Rasbora |
| Origins | Indonesia |
| Approx Max Size | 4 cm |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Aquarium Level | Middle |
| Difficulty | Beginner - Intermediate |
| Shoaling | Yes |
| Best kept as | Groups 6+ |
| Diet & Feeding | Omnivore |
| Reproduction | Egg-Scatterer |
| Average Lifespan | Up to 5 Years |
Water Parameters
| Water Type | Freshwater |
|---|---|
| pH | 5.5 - 7.0 |
| GH | 2 - 12 |
| KH | 1 - 2 |
| TDS | 30 - 150 |
| ℉ | 75 - 79 |
|---|---|
| ℃ | 24 - 26 |
Natural Habitat
The Red Cherry Rasbora is a Bornean endemic with a very restricted confirmed range. It is recorded from the Mahakam River system in East Kalimantan (Kalimantan Timur), Indonesian Borneo, and is currently reported as known only from the lower Mahakam basin, including the type locality in the Ulu Belayan drainage.
In the wild, it is associated with small freshwater forest streams, typically clear and shallow, over sandy to muddy substrates with marginal vegetation along the banks. This sort of habitat offers gentle flow, cover, and abundant micro-foods, which fit the species’ calm midwater behaviour and preference for planted, sheltered conditions in the aquarium.
Breeding
Red Cherry Rasboras are egg-scattering species that will often spawn repeatedly when settled, well-fed and kept in stable conditions, with no parental care. In a mature, densely planted aquarium, you may occasionally notice a few fry appear without doing anything special. If you want to raise larger numbers reliably, use a separate breeding tank that is well covered, gently filtered (an air-driven sponge filter works well), and packed with fine-leaved plants or moss, plus an egg-saving base such as marbles so the eggs drop out of reach. Condition the adults first, then acclimatise a good pair to the breeding tank; a small, slightly cooler water change is commonly used as a trigger, after which eggs are scattered in batches through the plants and into the gaps between the marbles. Remove the adults once spawning slows or stops, because they will eat eggs they find.
Diet & Feeding
Red Cherry Rasboras are best thought of as micro-predators, picking off tiny prey such as small insects, worms, crustaceans, and other zooplankton. In the aquarium, it readily accepts good-quality dried foods, but it tends to thrive best when that staple is backed up with regular small frozen or live offerings that fit its mouth. Because this is a small-mouthed shoaling fish, particle size and feeding style matter.
Use finely crushed flake or micro-pellets, then rotate in foods like mosquito larvae, brine shrimp, cyclops and daphnia to keep condition and colour strong, especially if you are trying to encourage spawning behaviour. Feed small amounts once or twice daily (or smaller portions more often), and avoid dumping too much at once because shy individuals can miss out, and excess food can quickly harm water quality in soft, planted setups.
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Published: 16 Feb 2026
Last Updated: 16 Feb 2026