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Red-Tailed Rasbora
Rasbora borapetensis
📍 Southeast Asia
The Red-Tailed Rasbora is a small, elegant freshwater fish native to Southeast Asia, known for its distinctive red tail and silvery body. These peaceful schooling fish are ideal for planted community tanks and are relatively easy to care for, making them suitable for beginner to intermediate aquarists. They thrive in groups and display beautiful schooling behavior when kept in adequate numbers.
Care Guide
Diet
Red-Tailed Rasboras are omnivorous and should be fed a varied diet of high-quality flake foods, micro pellets, and small live or frozen foods such as daphnia and brine shrimp. Feed small amounts 2-3 times daily, providing only what they can consume in a few minutes. Occasional vegetable matter like blanched spinach can supplement their diet.
Behavior
These fish are active schoolers that display vibrant colors and engaging behavior when kept in groups of at least 6 individuals. They prefer the middle water column and are generally peaceful with other non-aggressive species. They are most active during dawn and dusk hours and appreciate planted tanks with plenty of hiding spots.
Breeding
Red-Tailed Rasboras are egg scatterers that breed readily in well-established, densely planted tanks with soft, acidic water. Breeding pairs should be conditioned with high-quality live foods before spawning. Fry are very small and require infusoria or liquid fry food initially, making breeding moderately challenging for beginners.
Tank Mates
Similar size and peaceful temperament, both prefer soft acidic water
Compatible water parameters and peaceful schooling behavior
Same family, similar size and care requirements
Peaceful and compatible, though males can be territorial
Peaceful algae eater that shares similar water parameters
Common Diseases
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots on body and fins, flashing against objects, labored breathing
Raise temperature gradually to 28-30 C (82-86 F), use aquarium salt or ich medication, increase aeration and perform water changes
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fins, discoloration at fin edges, lethargy
Improve water quality with frequent water changes, remove decaying matter, use antibacterial medication if severe
Bacterial Infection
Ulcers, open sores, cloudy eyes, loss of appetite, color fading
Maintain excellent water quality, use broad-spectrum antibacterial medication, isolate affected fish if possible
Velvet Disease (Oodinium)
Fine golden or rust-colored dust on body, rapid gill movement, scratching behavior
Reduce lighting, raise temperature to 28-30 C (82-86 F), use copper-based medication or salt treatment
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Quick Facts
- diet
- Omnivore - small insects, zooplankton, and plant matter
- lifespan
- 4-6 years
- max size
- 5 cm (2 in)
- tank size
- 20 gallons minimum
- temperament
- peaceful
Water it likes
- ph
- 6.0-7.0
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 2-8 dGH
- temperature
- 72–79°F (22–26°C)