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Slender RasboraGold Line Rasbora ~ Black Line Rasbora <br/> Striped Rasbora ~ Striped BarbFamily: Cyprinidae Rasbora daniconiusLatest Reader Comment - See More I have 6 in my 30g-Long tank. It's planted with Amazon swords. They coexist with a beautiful blue betta and a snail. I agree that they are easy to care for. I'd... (more) DebbyB The Slender Rasbora is a great fish for the aquarist looking for a less common species to add interest to their tank!Slender Rasbora Contents The Slender rasbora isn't as colorful but is just as beautiful as its flashier cousins. Their most prominent feature is a blue-black line that runs the body length. This line is very finely outlined in gold. It is this feature that has inspired several rather descriptive names, including Black LIne Rasbora and Gold Line Rasbora. In the wild, this fish may be found swimming the rivers in schools with hundreds of individuals. So a school is a must, and the more individuals the better. These fish do fine in community tanks but will suffer in the company of aggressive fish. Slender Rasboras really look beautiful in a tank that simulates their habitat with plants, rocks, wood and substrate. Keeping the Slender Rasbora does require some mastery of water chemistry. Fluctuations in water quality leave this fish weak and prone to disease. For more Information on keeping freshwater fish see: |
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Habitat: Distribution / Background
The Slender Rasbora was described by Hamilton in 1822. They are found in South East Asia: Mekong, Chao Phraya and Salween basins, northern Malay Peninsula, and Sri Lanka. They inhabit all sorts of waterways from ditches, streams and pond, to flooded fields. But they are primarily found in sandy streams and rivers with slow moving waters. They can be found in large schools feeding at the surface on small aquatic insects and detritus.
- Scientific Name: Rasbora daniconius
- Social Grouping: Groups - For coloration and behavior this fish is best kept in schools of 5 or more.
- IUCN Red List: NE - Not Evaluated or not listed
The Slender rasbora is a slim fish, as the common name implies. The general body color is silver, with olive colored undertones. The belly will be whiter. These fish have a striking blue-black line that runs the whole body length, right through the tail. This line is finely outlined with gold. Scales are large and highly reflective. Fins are small and yellow.
- Maximum Size: 5.0 inches (12.70 cm) - The Slender Rasbora has been reported to reach 5 inches (12.5 cm) in the wild but usually only reaches 3.5 inches (9 cm) in the home aquarium.
- Aquarium Hardiness: Moderately hardy
- Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner
Slender Rasboras are omnivores. A good balance of prepared and live foods is required for optimal health. Daphnia, brine shrimp, and bloodworms all make excellent choices for live foods. Some green foods like lettuce are good too. Dip a washed lettuce leaf in boiling water to soften it. Take care to remove the uneaten lettuce from the tank within a few hours.
The key to making this fish extra beautiful is making it feel at home. Setting up a habitat simulating tank is the best way to do this. A sandy or fine gravel substrate with a few smooth rocks and pebbles is a good start. If you get the right water chemistry for this fish, many aquatic plant species can flourish. Look to our Aquarium Plant section for some good ideas. Aquarists who really want the natural feel could add some aquarium sealed dried bamboo to simulate the reeds that grow along the shoreline of their natural habitat. Reasonable water current is also pleasant for these fish. Since these fish are quite active, they tend to do better in larger and longer aquariums where they can school.
- Diet Type: Omnivore
- Flake Food: Yes
- Tablet Pellet: Yes
- Live foods (fishes, shrimps, worms): Some of Diet
- Vegetable Food: Some of Diet
- Meaty Food: Some of Diet
- Feeding Frequency: Several feedings per day
- Water Changes: Monthly
- Minimum Tank Size: 20 gal (76 L)
- Substrate Type: Any
- Lighting Needs: Low - subdued lighting
- Temperature: 71.0 - 80.0° F (21.7 - 26.7° C)
- Range ph: 7.0-7.5
- Hardness Range: 8 - 17 dGH
- Brackish: No
- Water Movement: Moderate
- Water Region: Middle - The Slender Rasbora is a mid-water fish.
The Slender Rasbora requires a sizeable school of at least 5 individuals to display healthy coloration and behavior. Although they occasionally quarrel, they are generally good natured. These fish are quite active. They should be mixed with fish of similar temperament.
- Temperament: Peaceful - This fish will occasionally quarrel with tankmates but without damage.
- Same species - conspecifics: Yes
- Peaceful fish (): Safe
- Semi-Aggressive (): Threat
- Shrimps, Crabs, Snails: Safe - not aggressive
The females are slightly plumper and deeper bodied.
The Slender Rasbora can be bred fairly easily. A large tank is required for spawning as part of the courtship is a very intense chase. A pair will spawn on fine leaved plants, so be sure to include Hornwort, Cabomba, Milfoil, or a similar species in the breeding tank. Java moss or Crystalwort (Riccia) work too if they are anchored down. The parents will prey upon their young, so they should be removed once eggs are scattered. The fry must be fed liquid fry food or the smallest live foods until they can swallow crushed flake food.
- Ease of Breeding: Moderate
The Slender Rasbora is difficult to find, but specialized fish stores may carry them. They are sometimes available online but as of yet not consistently. Cost should be somewhere in the $2.00 - $6.00 USD range.
Animal-World References
Freshwater Fish and Plants
Tropical Fish ~ Freshwater Fish ~ Aquatic Plants
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