Page 83 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

CYPRINIDS/RASBORAS 81

Trigonostigma espei
Narrow-Wedge Harlequin Harlequin, with males displaying an especially
rich red coloration. Although the two fish
ORIGINS Southeast Asia, where it is restricted to parts have similar markings, the Narrow-Wedge
of Thailand. has an extra black line at the back
SIZE 1 ⁄4 in (4.5 cm). of the gills, while its black flank
3
DIET Flake and live foods. markings are less prominent.
WATER Temperature 73–82°F (23–28°C); soft (50 mg/l) For breeding, house a single
and acidic (pH 6.0–6.5). female and two males in the
TEMPERAMENT Peaceful and social. spawning tank, which should
include broad-leaved plants such as
Once regarded as a subspecies of the Harlequin cryptocorynes. Transfer the adults back
Rasbora (see below), this fish is now considered to to the main aquarium to rejoin the shoal as
be a separate species. It is more colorful than the soon as spawning is finished.

Trigonostigma heteromorpha Brevibora dorsiocellata Tanichthys albonubes
Harlequin Rasbora Hi-Spot Rasbora White Cloud Mountain Minnow

ORIGINS Southeast Asia, occurring in Thailand and ORIGINS Southeast Asia, occurring throughout the ORIGINS Asia, occurring in the White Cloud Mountain
Malaysia, and southward to the island of Sumatra. Malay Peninsula and southward to Sumatra. region around Canton, China.
SIZE 2 in (5 cm). SIZE 2 ⁄2 in (6.5 cm). SIZE 1 ⁄4 in (4.5 cm).
1
1
DIET Flake and live foods. DIET Flake and live foods. DIET Flake and live foods.
WATER Temperature 73–77°F (23–25°C); soft (50 mg/l) WATER Temperature 68–77°F (20–25°C); soft (50 mg/l) WATER Temperature 64–77°F (18–25°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. TEMPERAMENT Peaceful and social.
This long-standing aquarium favorite has been Dorsal The original form of the White Cloud Mountain
popular with hobbyists for nearly a century, which eyespot Minnow has pale yellow edges on its fins, but a
is why it is sometimes simply referred to as “the strain found in Hong Kong, which developed
Rasbora.” The dark, triangular-shaped marking on from aquarium escapees, displays red fin-edging.
the rear part of the body, which tapers down the Females are not as brightly colored as males.
caudal peduncle to the base of the caudal fin, makes These rasboras can be kept in much cooler
the Harlequin easy to recognize. Males are more waters than most, down to 40°F (4.5°C), but for
colorful than females. breeding the optimum temperature is about 70°F
This golden-bodied fish has a black eyespot on (21°C). They spawn among vegetation, with the
its dorsal fin. A red, rather than yellow, tinge eggs hatching just over a day after being laid.
to the caudal fin indicates a male. The
spawning tank should contain only about 6 in
(15 cm) of water, and there should be marbles on
Variable dark the base. This will protect the eggs after
marking
spawning, because the fish will have less time to
eat them before the eggs fall out of reach. If the
female is placed in the tank a few days in advance,
spawning should occur quite rapidly. The eggs Deep red
area on tail
hatch in a day.

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