Page 82 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

80 FRESHWATER FISH DIRECTORY

Rasbora borapetensis Rasbora elegans
RASBORA JAW STRUCTURE
False Magnificent Rasbora Elegant Rasbora
Many cyprinids have downward-pointing
ORIGINS Southeast Asia, found in parts of ORIGINS Southeast Asia, on the Malay Peninsula, and mouthparts adapted for feeding on the
Thailand and western Malaysia. southward to Sumatra and Borneo. substrate. Rasboras are not substrate feeders,
SIZE 2 in (5 cm). SIZE 8 in (20 cm). however, but quick, agile, sharp-eyed
DIET Flake and live foods. DIET Flake and live foods. predators that seek their food in the middle
WATER Temperature 72–79°F (22–26°C); soft (50 mg/l) WATER Temperature 72–77°F (22–25°C); soft (50 mg/l) and upper layers of the water. As a result,
and acidic (pH 6.0–6.5). and acidic (pH 6.0–6.5). their lower jaw curves up, rather than down,
TEMPERAMENT Peaceful and social. TEMPERAMENT Peaceful and social. as seen here on this Narrow-Wedge Harlequin
(see opposite). This jaw structure makes it
False Magnificent Rasboras have a dark red area Spot below dorsal fin easier for the rasboras to snatch aquatic
at the base of the caudal fin. They also display a Spot on caudal invertebrates swimming just above them in
black line that runs from behind the gills along the peduncle the water and also to grab any flying insects
midline of the body. If their surroundings are less that may settle on the surface.
than ideal, the red area on the tail becomes much
paler. Floating plants on the surface will ensure
that the lighting is not too bright, while adding
aquarium peat to the filtration system will help Spot at base
of ventral fin
to maintain the water quality.
Elegant Rasboras display three black areas on
each side of the body. The body itself is greenish-
brown above and silvery below. Females can be
recognized when spawning approaches, because
they become paler than the males and their bodies
swell with eggs. They spawn in typical rasbora
fashion, with the young requiring special fry food
or infusoria once they are free-swimming. Elegant
Rasboras will rarely reach their maximum size in
home aquariums.

Rasbora caudimaculata Rasbora daniconius Trigonopoma pauciperforatum
Spot-Tailed Rasbora Slender Rasbora Redline Rasbora

ORIGINS Southeast Asia, occurring on the Malay ORIGINS Asia, from India and Sri Lanka, via Myanmar ORIGINS Southeast Asia, present on the Malay
Peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo. (Burma) and Thailand, to the Greater Sunda Islands. Peninsula and as far south as Sumatra.
SIZE 4 ⁄4 in (12 cm). SIZE 4 in (10 cm). SIZE 3 in (7 cm).
3
DIET Flake and live foods. DIET Flake and live foods. DIET Flake and live foods.
WATER Temperature 68–77°F (20–25°C); soft (50 mg/l) WATER Temperature 75–79°F (24–26°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.
Slightly pinkish The appearance of this species is not dissimilar to
Dark band dorsal fin that of the Long-Band Rasbora (see p.79), but its Red stripe
dorsal fin is set slightly farther back and its body runs through
color may be a little darker. Males have a yellow the eye
tinge to their fins and are slimmer than females,
which swell noticeably with eggs. Spawning is
reasonably easy to accomplish under favorable
water conditions; this may entail dropping the
pH slightly and raising the water temperature.
These rasboras are generally smaller than Bluish-black
Scissortail Rasboras (see p.79), and their silvery Largely transparent fins stripe extends The brilliant red stripe along each side of the body
body color also terminates in a deeply forked to caudal fin helps to sex these rasboras. When females swell
caudal fin that resembles a pair of scissors. with spawn, the stripe has a more curved
Each lobe of the caudal fin has a colored area appearance toward the rear of the body, but in
and ends in a dark tip. The slim body shape the slimmer males it is always relatively straight.
of these fish reveals their active nature. They Compatibility between individuals can be an
can also jump effectively, which means that the obstacle to successful breeding, but in a shoal the
aquarium or spawning tank should always be sexes will be able to pair naturally; paired fish
kept covered. remain in close contact with one another.

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