Rasbora

Rasbora are lively fish that like to swim in groups.  Most of them are very hardy and a good choice for beginners.  They are peaceful toward other fish.

What are Rasboras?  Rasboras are members of the Cyprinidae family which includes barbs, danios, white clouds, and red tail sharks, carps and many other fish.   They are native to Southeast Asia, where some of them inhabit quick moving streams.  There are about 70 species in the genus Rasbora.

Housing:  They are strong swimmers.  Provide open space for swimming with bushy plants in the back.  They do not harm live plants so you can use live or plastic plants.  Crytocaryne plants are a good choice as they are found in rasboras natural habitat. In their natural environment many come from soft, slightly acid water.  In an aquarium they are tolerant of most aquarium conditions as long as the water is well filtered and partial water changes are conducted regularly. (
(Temperature: 72-80)  (pH is 6.0-7.5)

Tankmates:  Keep them with other peaceful fish of similar size.  Some good tank mates may include tetras, mollies, moons, white clouds, other rasboras, cherry barbs, corydoras catfish. They can be timid and should not be mixed with nippy tankmates.

Community Tanks: Here are some community tanks that we listed rasboras in:  Community #1, Community #2, Community #3, Community #4, Community #5

Feeding:  They will accept a variety of foods,  Feed flakes and frozen foods.  Feed a couple of times a day. 

Longevity: 2-5 years

Some Rasboras at Elmer's:  Here are some rasboras you may see at Elmer's Aquarium. Pictures were taken at our store.   They are listed in order of popularity at our store:
Harlequin Rasbora  (Rasbora heteromorpha)  grows to  2"  a peaceful and hardy fish;   They are small red fish with a black triangle. Male is slimmer.  Best kept in schools in well planted tanks.  Suitable for tanks 10 gallon or more.   A great beginners fish.  They are always out front and never aggressive toward any fish.  Prefers a pH. of  6.0-6.5.
Brilliant Rasbora  (Rasbora borapetensis)  grows to 2.5"    Active colorful and hardy, best kept in groups.  Also called the Redtail Rasbora.
Scissortail Rasbora (Rasbora trileneata)  grow to 3" Active and hardy.  A good community fish.  Tail fins flash like scissors when they move.
Galaxy Rasbora   (Celeshtchys margariatus)   grows to 1"  A recently discoverd rasbora.  Very colorful. .  Tolerant of cooler water.  (temperature 68-74).  Suitable for smaller well planted tanks.  Must have very peaceful tankmates.   Males are more colorful.  Also called the Celestial Pearl Danio.  
Elegant Rasbora  (Rasbora elegans)  grows to 5"   Active, peaceful and hardy.  Best kept in groups  

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