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Cyprinds
/ Rasboras / Dwarf Rasbora
Dwarf Rasbora, Pygmy Rasbora, Spotted Rasbora
Rasbora maculata | Pictures
Synonyms: None, although this species mistaken for a juvenile
R. kalochroma .
Physical description: Among the smallest of aquarium species, the Dwarf Rasbora is an elongated fish.
The
back is brownish red, while the body is bright brick red.
The belly is yellowish-silver and there are various
black spots on the body.
These usually do not number more than five.
The dorsal and anal fins are black and
the other fins have red at their bases.
Size/Length: To 1" (2.5 cm) max.
Similar species: Clown Rasbora (
R. kalochroma ) is similar in coloration, although
much larger.
The Ocellated Dwarf Rasbora (
R. urophthalma ) at 1.5" (4 cm) is only slightly
larger.
Habitat: Along overgrown riverbanks of still to slow-moving flood plain rivers and swamps.
Southeast
Asia; Borneo, Malay Peninsula, Singapore, Sumatra.
S: middle
Aquarium: A tank measuring 16" (41 cm) with a capacity of 5 gallons (19 L) works well.
The
tank should be heavily planted including a cover of floating plants to diffuse the lighting.
The substrate should be dark gravel.
Water chemistry: pH 5-6.8 (6.2), dH 0-8 dH (3), 75-81°F (24-27°C)
Social behavior: A peaceful schooling fish recommended for community tank having other small species.
Suggested companions: Rasboras, Coolie Loaches,
Corydoras, Loricarids,
Apistogramma
, tetras, hatchetfish, Colisa.
FOOD: Tiny live; insect larvae,
Drosophila , other small insects,
Artemia ;
fine grade flakes.
Sexual differences: Females are plumper and less colorful.
Breeding techniques: This species can be bred in even a 3 gallon fish tank.
Use thickets of small, fine-leafed plants
and coarse gravel or marbles as a substrate.
The water should be peat-filtered with a pH from 5.7-6.2, a water hardness
from 0-3 dH, and a water temperature
from 81-84°F (27-29°C).
Condition the pair separately for one
to two weeks prior to the spawning.
Only 40-50 eggs are laid among plants.
The parents should be removed before
they can consume their own eggs.
The eggs hatch after 24-36 hours and the fry are free-swimming three to four days later.
Start
feeding with Infusoria and liquid foods.
The fry are very small and difficult see.
Often, in a well-planted, sparsely populated
tank, some fry will survive to maturity.
Breeding potential: 6.
Spawning comes easily under the right conditions.
Remarks: This species in sensitive to water changes, medications, and water pollutants.
It
was first imported into Europe in 1905.
Difficulty of care: 4.
This somewhat sensitive species is an excellent fish for a small species or community tank.
Recent articles about fish
Overfishing may hurt Amazon forest trees
(2/5/2008) Overfishing is reducing the effectiveness of seed dispersal by fish in the Brazilian Pantanal, reports Nature. The research suggests that fishing practices can affect forest health.
Scientists find fish that literally lives in trees
(10/17/2007) Scientists have found a fish that literally lives in trees, according to research published in The American Naturalist and highlighted in New Scientist Magazine.
Piranhas originated when Amazon was flooded by seawater
(12/4/2007) South America's piranha family of fish -- notorious as eaters of flesh -- can be traced back to a single ancestor which dispersed when the Amazon was flooded by seawater some five million years ago, report researchers from the Institut de Recherche Pour le Developpement (IRD). Today piranhas are exclusively freshwater fish found from the Orinoco River basin in Venezuela to the Parana in Argentina.
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