Rasbora Rasbora

Datasheet

General Description

The Gangetic Scissortail Rasbora, scientifically known as Rasbora Rasbora, belongs to the Cyprinidae family and can grow up to 13.0cm in length. It is a peaceful species that thrives in well-furnished community setups and displays better colors when kept in a group of at least six individuals.

Aquarium Setup

The Gangetic Scissortail Rasbora should be housed in a tank with a minimum size of 255 litres, providing plenty of open swimming space. It thrives in setups resembling flowing rivers, with rocky substrates, gravel, large boulders, and driftwood. Live plants like Java fern, Bolbitis, or Anubias can be added, and a tightly-fitting cover is essential due to its jumping tendencies.

Behaviour

This rasbora species is gregarious by nature and should be kept in a group to encourage natural behaviors and better coloration. It is suitable for community tanks with bold species like cyprinids, loaches, cichlids, catfish, and characins. Proper research is essential when selecting tankmates to ensure compatibility.

Feeding and Diet

In its natural habitat, the Gangetic Scissortail Rasbora feeds on invertebrates. In captivity, it accepts dried foods but should have a varied diet including live and frozen fare like Daphnia and bloodworms. Regular feeding of live and frozen foods boosts coloration and stimulates breeding behavior.

Reproduction & Dimorphism

Breeding this species in captivity is feasible as they are egg-scattering, continuous spawners without parental care. To increase fry yield, spawning containers can be set up with dim lighting and a substrate suitable for egg collection. Mature females are rounder-bellied and slightly larger than males.

Habitat and Distribution

Native to regions including Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Thailand, the Gangetic Scissortail Rasbora prefers streams, tributaries, and rivers. Recent reports suggest populations in the Brahmaputra river basin, various parts of Myanmar, and border rivers of Thailand near Myanmar. Reports from some southern Indian regions are likely inaccurate.