Clown Rasbora

The clown rasbora is a large, showy rasbora whose scientific name means "beautifully colored." Its reddish-orange or pink body bears two large dark blotches; its fins are tinged with red. It grows to about 8 cm. It lives in the peat swamps of the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo, in very soft, acidic blackwater. It is closely tied to these conditions; in hard, alkaline water it loses its colors and falls ill.

• At least 120 liters and 100 cm in length for a group of 8–10.
• 25–27°C, pH 5–6.5, very soft water; reverse osmosis water and a source of tannins (dried leaves, roots) are required.
• Dim light, floating plants, a dark substrate and plenty of hiding places.
• Gentle flow; use a lid since it jumps.

Omnivorous, but in the wild it feeds mainly on insects and their larvae. Use frozen mosquito larvae, bloodworms, brine shrimp and daphnia as the staple; it accepts quality small granules over time.

Peaceful but shy; it comes out into the open in a large group and a calm setting. Hectic tankmates constantly drive it into hiding.

Good companions: calm species that want the same blackwater conditions: red-line and brilliant rasboras, glowlight rasboras, blackwater corydoras, dwarf gouramis.

Avoid: active and large species, fish that need hard water, aggressive cichlids.