Page 81 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

CYPRINIDS/RASBORAS 79

Rasboroides vaterifloris
Orange-Finned Rasbora

ORIGINS Southern Asia, restricted to the island
of Sri Lanka.
SIZE 1 ⁄2 in (4 cm).
1
DIET Live foods, plus flake.
WATER Temperature 77–84°F (25–29°C); soft (50 mg/l)
and acidic (pH 6.0–6.5).
TEMPERAMENT Peaceful.
The appearance of the Orange-Finned Rasbora
differs across its range: individuals found between
Valallavites and Meegahatenne are predominantly
red, while specimens from around Gilimale on the
Kaluganga River are greenish. The depth of the
orange coloration around the eye socket also varies.
Males are more colorful and slimmer-bodied than
females. In addition to their regular diet, Orange-
Finned Rasboras will sometimes take small amounts
of pollen, available in health-food stores. Rich in
protein, pollen can help to encourage spawning, as
can live foods. Orange-Finned Rasboras are often
the only fish that occur in parts of their natural
habitat, but they can still be mixed with other
nonaggressive fish in community aquariums. Their
isolation in the wild may also explain why they have
a shorter lateral line than other rasboras: being less
exposed to predators, they may not have such a
great need for this sensory warning system.

Rasbora kalochroma Rasbora einthovenii Rasbora trilineata
Big-Spot Rasbora Long-Band Rasbora Scissortail Rasbora

ORIGINS Southeast Asia, where it is found in parts of ORIGINS Southeast Asia, occurring in Malaysia, ORIGINS Southeast Asia, occurring in parts of Malaysia,
Malaysia, Sumatra, and Borneo. Sumatra, and Borneo. Sumatra, and Borneo.
SIZE 4 in (10 cm). SIZE 4 in (10 cm). SIZE 6 in (15 cm).
DIET Flake and live foods. DIET Flake and live foods. DIET Flake and live foods.
WATER Temperature 77–82°F (25–28°C); soft (50 mg/l) WATER Temperature 72–77°F (22–25°C); soft (50 mg/l) WATER Temperature 73–77°F (23–25°C); soft (50 mg/l)
and acidic (pH 6.0–6.5). and acidic (pH 6.0–6.5). and acidic (pH 6.0–6.5).
TEMPERAMENT Peaceful and social. TEMPERAMENT Peaceful and social. TEMPERAMENT Peaceful and social.
In spite of its relatively large size, the Big-Spot The striped pattern on the sides of the Scissortail
Rasbora is rather sensitive to water quality, and its Males have Rasbora’s silvery body becomes more evident
slimmer bodies
true beauty will be apparent only if conditions are than females toward the caudal fin. This rasbora’s common
optimal. A dark base in the aquarium and subdued name derives from the way the deep fork of the
lighting are also needed for this fish to look its caudal fin tends to close up, like scissor blades,
best. Big-Spot Rasboras should be kept in groups, as the fish moves through the water. The size
but their shoaling instincts are not as strong as and shoaling behavior of Scissortail Rasboras
in other rasboras. Spawning behavior in home Broad means that they will benefit from being housed in
aquariums has not been documented, but it is stripe a relatively long aquarium, where planting is
probably similar to that shown by other rasboras. restricted to the sides of the tank.
The dark stripe along the midline of this rasbora
Pinkish-orange extends from the mouth all the way through to Dark spot on
Bluish-black body color the caudal fin. It is broader in males, which have
blotches a purplish cast to the body and a hint of red on the each lobe of
caudal fin
dorsal fin; this coloration is most obvious when
they are in top condition. Females, in contrast,
are a more greenish shade. A spawning tank for
these fish needs a concentration of fine-leaved
plants at one end in which eggs can be laid.

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