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Glowlight Rasbora

Hengel's Rasbora ~Lamb Chop Rasbora ~ Glowing Rasbora ~ False Harlequin Family: Cyprinidae

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Trigonostigma hengeli Photo © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

   The Glowlight Rasboras, also known as Hengel’s rasboras, are very fun to watch (even for non-aquarists!) as they are almost constantly in motion!

   So many aquarists fall in love with the Glowlight Rasbora or Hengel’s Rasbora, and rightfully so. This simply dressed fish has lots of hidden charm. The body color ranges from translucent ivory to a pink flushed orange. In healthy specimens, the fins are a distinct lemon yellow. Their most distinguishing feature is a thin black marking, above which is a stroke of neon orange.  

   Even more enticing then their looks, are their fascinating fast paced lifestyles. They have many endearing habits that you will come to recognize. This is a very forgiving fish and an excellent species to introduce yourself or a friend to the hobby for a number of reasons. They generally have a good disposition. They can be combined with most any fish it won’t eat or frighten, or the opposite. They also have an excellent disease resistance.

   The Glowlight Rasbora or Hengel's Rasbora has two close relatives with which it is often confused, the Harlequin Rasbora and the Espei Rasbora. The Espei Rasbora is a name often falsely attached to the Hengel’s Rasbora, and they are both sold under the name of 'False Harlequin'. This was all officially cleared up in 1999, when the species were reclassified. To identify them notice some subtle distinctions. The Harlequin Rasbora is pale pink to bright red, and is much stocker than its cousins. Harlequin’s black mark is much closer to a triangle shape and will have a noticeably blue tint. The Espei Rasbora should be bronze pink in color and have no orange stripe above the black triangle.

For more Information on keeping freshwater fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Freshwater Aquarium

Distribution:
   The Glowlight Rasbora or Hengel’s rasbora were described by Meinken in 1956. They are found in huge groups, filling entire sluggish streams, in their homelands of Borneo, Sumatra, and Indonesia.

Status:
   These fish are not endangered.

Description:
   The body color of the Glowlight Rasbora or Hengel's Rasbora ranges from translucent ivory to a pink flushed orange. In healthy specimens, the fins are a distinct lemon yellow. Their most distinguishing feature is a thin black marking, above which is a stroke of neon orange.

Size - Weight:
  This fish will reach about 1.5 inches (4 cm)

Care and feeding:
   The Glowlight Rasbora is an omnivore and not at all picky about what it eats. Nonetheless, a balanced diet is important for all aquarium fish. Feeding time with rasboras is especially fun to watch, as they will dart to the surface, grab some food, then dive an inch or so and swallow, then repeat this until the food is gone.
   This fish as fairly hardy and will adapt to most aquarium conditions. Though a school of rasboras can be kept in a smaller aquarium, they will do best in about a 20 gallon size. Dense tall plantings around the sides and back are great, but these fish prefer open water in the middle of the tank for swimming.

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom:
   The Glowlight Rasbora rarely leaves the upper and middle regions of the aquarium, not even to chase after food.

Acceptable Water Conditions:
   Temp: 72-79° F (22-26° C)
   pH: 6.0- 7.5
   Hardness: 1-10° dGH

Social Behaviors:
   Although the Glowlight Rasbora or Hengel’s Rasbora is technically a schooling fish, they tend to swim about in loosely formed groups unless they are frightened. The more fish you have, the more apparent the schooling instinct will become. They are good community fish, and won’t cause any problems as long as their tank mates don’t mind an active environment. The more individuals you have the better, but consider 5 a minimum. They will have a pecking order, but will never really cause harm to each other.  

Sexual Differences:
   None whatsoever.

Breeding/Reproduction:
   These fish are nearly impossible to sex, and there are few reports of successful aquarium spawnings.

Availability:
   The Glowlight Rasbora or Hengel's Rasbora is fairly difficult to come by, but some specialized fish stores will carry them. They are often upstaged by the much more popular Harlequin Rasbora. It is sold for around $1 - $2 USD.

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Latest Comments
I literally just got them (10 minutes at max) in my tank and they are already schooling! I have 2 Leopard Danios, 4 Glowlight Tetras, 2 Paleatus Cories(non-albino), 12 Cardinal Tetras, and now 5 Glowlight Rasboras. And one of them when it first got in the tank thought the Glowlight Tetras were its school! Anonymous 2008-05-03

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