Eye-spot Rasbora

The eye-spot rasbora was formerly known as Rasbora dorsiocellata; today it is placed in the genus Brevibora. Its scientific name means "eye on the back" and refers to the large, white-edged black spot in the middle of the dorsal fin. Its body is slender, silvery and semi-transparent; the upper half of the eye shines bluish green.

It grows to about 4 cm. Its colors are not showy, but when it swims as a school, the black spots on the dorsal fins look like dots moving together and add an elegant motion to a simple aquarium. It is a hardy species that is easy to feed.

It lives in the lowlands of the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra, in swamps, slow-flowing streams and vegetated still waters. The water is usually soft and slightly acidic; some habitats are blackwaters darkened by tannins.

• Volume: at least 54 liters and 60 cm in length for a school of 8–10.
• Water: 23–26°C, pH 6–7, soft to moderately hard water.
• Layout: plants along the sides, open swimming space in the middle and at the top; a dark substrate makes the dorsal spots stand out.
• Flow: gentle to moderate.
• Lid: use a lid, as it swims in the upper layer and leaps when startled.

Omnivorous. It readily accepts flakes and small granules; vary the diet with frozen brine shrimp, daphnia, cyclops and mosquito larvae. It prefers to feed at the surface and in midwater.

Peaceful, social and active. As a school it moves through the middle and upper layers. There are small chases among themselves, but it shows no interest in other species. It leaves adult dwarf shrimp alone.

Good companions: other small rasboras, tetras, corydoras, kuhli loaches, otocinclus, dwarf gouramis, Neocaridina shrimp.

Avoid: large predators and aggressive cichlids.

At least 8, ideally 12 or more individuals. In a large group the fish are bolder and swim in a tighter school. Kept in small numbers they become shy and wait in corners near the surface. The male-to-female ratio is not important.

It scatters its eggs among fine-leaved plants or moss; there is no parental care and the eggs are eaten. In a separate aquarium filled with soft, slightly acidic water and plenty of moss, a few well-fed individuals spawn easily. The adults are removed after spawning. The fry are fed infusoria, then newly hatched brine shrimp.

A hardy species. Poor water quality and sudden temperature changes can lead to white spot and bacterial infections. A 25% weekly water change is sufficient.

Females have a fuller belly and are slightly larger. Males are slimmer; some individuals show a faint reddish tint in the fins.