Red Line Rasbora (Trigonopoma pauciperforata)
Red Line Rasboras are peaceful, active and adaptable and will do well in various water conditions. These fish are ideal for a peaceful community aquarium with similarly-sized Cyprinids, small Loaches, other Rasboras, and Pencilfish. However, it would be best to avoid boisterous or vigorous tankmates as they may outcompete the Red Line Rasboras for food as they are somewhat of a slow feeder.
The Red Line Rasboras do better and tend to show better colouration in an established, heavily planted aquarium as their colours intensify when settled into a well-planted setting. Having a dark substrate along with some spindly driftwood and dark caves will also help them settle in. The addition of dried leaf litter such as beech, oak or almond leaves would further accentuate the natural feel as well as promote the growth of beneficial microbe colonies as breakdown occurs. In addition, tannins and other chemicals released by the decaying leaves will simulate a blackwater environment.
Red Line Rasboras are a shoaling species that you should maintain in groups of 6 or more individuals; ten or more would be better. Keeping these fish in more significant numbers will not only make your fish less nervous but will result in a more practical, natural-looking display. Males will also display their best colours as they compete with each other for female attention.
The Red Line Rasbora has an elongated brownish-grey body and a forked tail. Their backs are olive-brown, and their stomachs are white. Their fins are a smokey grey colour, and they display a bright neon reddish-orange stripe that runs parallel from the tip of the snout through the upper part of the eye to the caudal fin.
Red Line Rasbora (Trigonopoma pauciperforata) Video
Red Line Rasbora (Trigonopoma pauciperforata) Aquarium Fish Species Profile & Care Guide
Photos
Quick Facts | |
---|---|
Scientific Name | Trigonopoma pauciperforata |
Other Names | Red Stripe Rasbora, Redstriped Rasbora, Redlined Rasbora, Glowlight Red Line Rasbora |
Classification | Actinopterygii |
Order | Cypriniformes |
Family | Cyprinidae |
Genus | Trigonopoma |
Origins | Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore |
Temperament | Peaceful |
Aquarium Level | Middle - Top |
Difficulty | Beginner - Intermediate |
Shoaling | Yes |
Best kept as | Groups 8+ |
Diet | Omnivore |
Reproduction | Egg-Scatterer |
Lifespan | 3 - 5 years |
Water Parameters | |
---|---|
Water Type | Freshwater |
PH | 5.0 - 7.5 |
GH | 5 - 12 |
TDS | 0 - 179 |
Temperature | |
---|---|
69 - 79℉ 20.6 - 26.1℃ |
Feeding
In the home aquarium, the Red Line Rasbora will readily accept most good quality dried foods such as granules, flakes and sinking pellets. These modern food products have been developed to provide all adequate nutrition to maintain your fish's health and dietary requirements.
Providing additional foodstuffs such as live, frozen, and freeze-dried meals such as bloodworm, daphnia, and tubifex once or twice a week will provide additional benefits to your fish's health and well-being but is not a must for this fish.
It should be noted that bloodworms should only be given as an occasional treat and should not be used as the staple diet as they are difficult for fish to digest and can potentially cause blockages.
This fish is an omnivore in the wild, meaning it will consume some vegetable matter. Although most modern fish foods take this into account and include them in their products, you can still supplement your fish's diet with blanched vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, and zucchini. Ensure you do not overfeed your fish and remove any leftovers the following day.
Sexual Dimorphism
It is quite challenging to distinguish the males from the female Red Line Rasboras. However, the males are usually slightly smaller and slimmer than females and possess a red line on their bodies. In contrast, females are somewhat larger, are much plumper, especially when spawning, and the line on the female's body is more of an orange colour rather than red.