Alternative species (click on the thumbnail to see the card)
Names
Scientific name
Trigonostigma heteromorpha
Rasbora heteromorpha
Common name
Harlequin rasbora
Harlequin fish
Origin
Origin: Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia
Biotope: Asian
Dimorphism
The male is slenderer. The female is slightly larger and its abdomen is more bounced
Group
Cyprinidae
Volume
100 L / 22 imp gal / 26 US gal
Parameters
T°: 24 à 28°C or 75 to 82°F
pH: 6 to 6.5
Hardness: 1 to 5°dGH
Difficulty
Easy
Size
3 to 5cm (1.2 to 2")
Longevity
3 to 6 years
Living zone
Middle
Individuals
12
Food
How to feed the Harlequin rasbora?
Food
How to feed the Harlequin rasbora?
Omnivorous: all forms of food are accepted. However, to enhance their colour, regularly offer them live or frozen food such as daphnids, bloodworms or brine shrimp.
Behavior
What kind of behavior does the Harlequin rasbora have?
Behavior
What kind of behavior does the Harlequin rasbora have?
The Harlequin Rasbora is peaceful, calm and gregarious. It must imperatively be maintained in groups (10 to 12 individuals minimum). Nevertheless, this group will not form a shoal strictly speaking (like that of the Neons for example).
Cohabitation
Who can live with the Harlequin rasbora?
Cohabitation
Who can live with the Harlequin rasbora?
This species is a very good choice for a community aquarium (independent, it does not care about the other inhabitants). In addition, its wide tolerance with the parameters of its water allows the association with many species. If you want to make an Asian biotope, you can make it cohabit with species of the genus Osphronemidae (colisa and gourami) or other small Cyprinidae (bearded).
In a general aquarium, the Harlequin Rasbora can easily live with dwarf cichlids, catfish, loaches and many others, provided the water parameters are consistent.
Breeding
How to breed the Harlequin rasbora?
Breeding
How to breed the Harlequin rasbora?
Breeding in captivity is possible. It will be in groups (2 males for 1 female) or in pairs but only individuals over one year will breed. Prepare your spawning tank (15 L / 3.3 Imp Gal / 4 US Gal or more) with a protective grid and large-leaved plants (Cryptocorynes or Microsorium for example).
Temperature 26/28°C or 79/82°F, pH between 5.8 and 6.4 and very soft water (less than 5°f). The quality of the water must be irreproachable. You can separate the sexes 15 days before spawning and condition them (live food 2 to 3 times a day). Introduce the selected individuals into the breeding tank. A change of water with cooler water encourages spawning.
The females stick the eggs under the leaves, and the males fertilise them afterwards. It is interesting to watch these fish turn around completely for spawning. The couple/group will stay 3 to 4 days in the spawning tank, but if no eggs are observed, it will be necessary to try with other individuals. On the other hand, if you notice the presence of eggs, remove the parents and place the egg tray in the dark. The incubation lasts 24h at 28°C or 82°F. After hatching, the fry remain sensitive to light for the first few weeks.
Fry food: nauplies of artemia and cyclops.
Its aquarium
Which aquarium for the Harlequin rasbora?
Its aquarium
Which aquarium for the Harlequin rasbora?
This species likes dark substrates and dense vegetation (Anubia, Cryptocoryne, Microsorum, Taxiphyllum or Echinodorus). Also introduce some floating plants that will sift the lighting.
Harlequin Rasbora will be perfectly at home in a 100% Asian biotope. For a more natural effect, assemble your branches so that they form many paths and hiding places.
Do not hesitate to add also dried oak or beech leaves, or even ketapang almonds. These elements will make a good microbial support, will enrich the chemistry of the water and will disturb it somewhat (the colour of the water turns brown). These leaves must be replaced before they rot.
Good To know
Find all additional information!
Good To know
Find all additional information!
Harlequin Rasbora is particularly susceptible to velvet disease (Oodinium). There are selected black, purple, blue and golden varieties of this species.
Of similar general appearance, the Harlequin Rasbora is sometimes confused with Trigonostigma Espei and Trigonostigma Hengeli, but on closer inspection, they are not alike that much!
Yours photos!
Comments
Sort by:
Please login to post comments
