Top 12 Most Popular Rasboras For Your Aquarium

If you’re looking for a Rasbora to add to your home aquarium, you should know there are close to 45 species of Rasboras you can choose from. So settling on just one will be quite the challenge, but fortunately, we’re here to help!

Rasboras are perfect for beginner and experienced fish keepers because they’re easy to take care of, have vibrant colors and patterns, and mind their business when kept with other fish species. But you need to know which type of Rasboras you’re taking home because they aren’t all the same.

Because they are schooling fish, you’ll need to get more than one Rasbora for your aquarium. Most Rasboras don’t grow too big, so you can rest easy if you have a small tank and are worried about them overgrowing. These fish species mostly stay below 4 inches in size.

To help you make the best decision, this article lists the most popular Rasboras you can add to your home aquarium. With specific details of each species so you can ensure you’re taking the right Rasboras to your freshwater tank. 

Species Overview of Rasboras

Rasboras are commonly found in southern and South-Eastern Asia in Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia. The waters in these areas are very murky, and you’re likely to find these fish in the streams and other water bodies filled with thick vegetation.

Rasboras generally grow to between 1.8-4 inches in size. Aside from their size, these fish are colorful, with most males and females having a black wedge-shaped mark on the back of their bodies. The female Rasboras grow larger and thicker than their male counterparts. Their life expectancy of 6-8 years depends on how well you take care of them and the water conditions in their fish tank. 

These waters are full of plants and heavy vegetation cover, so if you plan on having them in your home tank, you should consider including abundant aquatic plant growth. A well-planted aquarium will help these fish feel at home. They prefer warm water temperatures between 72-80 degrees Fahrenheit to be comfortable in their new environment.

If you plan on keeping Rasboras with other fish species, it’s best to keep them with similarly sized community fish so they won’t be intimidated by the other species. Some great options include corydoras catfish and small peaceful loaches like Kuhli loaches.

As long as you give them adequate space, these fish will be peaceful and easy to care for. 

Here are some fast facts about Rasboras :

  • Scientific name: Trigonostigma heteromorpha
  • Origins Southeastern Asia
  • Family: Cyprinidae family
  • Size: 1.8-3 inches
  • Color: Pink, orange, with patterns
  • Diet: Omnivorous 
  • pH levels: 6.0-7.8
  • Water hardness: 2-15 dGH
  • Lifespan: 5-8 years
  • Temperament: Peaceful
  • Tank size: 15-20 gallons

Types of Rasboras

Now that you understand the basics of Rasbora species, here are the best 12 Rasboras you can get for a freshwater aquarium: 

1. Sidestripe Rasboras

  • Size: 3.5 inches
  • Diet: omnivorous 
  • Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons+

Also known as Rasboras paviana, these freshwater fish are known for the attractive silver color in their bodies, with a distinct line running down their back.

Sidestripe Rasboras

You can keep Sidestripe Rasboras in groups of six to eight, so they can feel safe and comfortable. They grow to about 3.5 inches in size, which offers so much space to add more Rasboras for their comfort. You’ll enjoy looking at them moving around in the tank once they become more active.

Because of their natural habitat, these fish prefer the middle and upper levels of the fish tank. You should consider this when looking for other tank mates to add after your Rasboras are settled.

Like other Rasboras, the Sidestripe are omnivorous, but they like more meat than plants as part of their diet. If you have a filter in place, ensure the current isn’t too strong because they prefer slow-moving waters in their habitat.

2. Porthole Rasboras 

  • Size: 5 inches
  • Diet: omnivorous 
  • Minimum Tank Size: 60 gallons+

Unlike most Rasboras, the Porthole Rasboras grows to a large size of five inches by adult age. Also known as the Rasbora cephalotaenia, these fish are commonly found in the black water streams in Vietnam and China.

Porthole Rasboras

Porthole Rasboras are yellow to pink in color, but their bodies are filled with several horizontal stripes. Because of their social nature, keeping them with other Porthole Rasboras will be wise to help them adjust to being around other fish.

The slow-moving waters in this area and the thick vegetation mean they require plenty of plants in the home aquarium. They prefer slow-moving waters, so any filters in place shouldn’t feature strong currents if you want them to be comfortable.

3. Galaxy Rasbora

  • Size: 1 inch
  • Diet: omnivorous 
  • Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons

The Galaxy Rasboras is another unique rasbora you’ll love to see swimming in your home aquarium. Its name comes from its beautiful body, deep blue with several white spots similar to a starry night sky.

Galaxy Rasbora

Their fins are red, and their bodies shimmer in the light. If you look closely, you’ll also see black stripes on their fins. In their natural habitat, these fish survive in warm and shallow ponds, so it’s best to ensure the temperatures are between 73 and 80°F and then a fish tank.

Relatively neutral pH levels in the tank filled with plants will keep them happy. Galaxy Rasboras are bottom dwellers, so you should ensure they have sinking pellets for food because their small mouths only allow them to eat small amounts of food. 

4. Harlequin Rasboras

  • Size: 1.8-2 inches
  • Diet: omnivorous 
  • Minimum Tank Size: 15-20 gallons

Harlequin Rasboras are one of the most popular Rasboras you’ll find in most stores. And it’s clearly because of their appearance. These tiny fish are pinkish-orange in color on their diamond-shaped bodies. These schooling fish don’t bother other fish and are beautiful, making them a perfect addition to any fish tank.

Harlequin Rasboras

If you keep them with other fish species, you don’t have to worry about aggressive behavior. You’ll mostly find them swimming around the tank and exploring their surroundings. If you get a young harlequin Rasbora, you can condition them with live foods like insect larvae to keep them growing into healthy adult fish.

Like other Rasboras, a harlequin Rasbora prefers to be around their kind. Keeping them in a group helps them feel calm and reduces stars which could lead to other illnesses. A fun fact about the harlequin Rasbora is that they are egg-laying and aren’t egg scatterers like other Rasbora species.

5. Chili Rasboras 

  • Size: 0.7 inches
  • Diet: omnivorous 
  • Minimum Tank Size: 10-15 gallons 

The chili Rasbora aka mosquito Rasbora is one of the smallest fish and Rasbora species in the aquarium hobby. Chili Rasboras are shy and peaceful creatures that can add color to your home aquarium. While most Rasbora species like these are ideal for nano aquariums, purchasing these fish in groups of seven and more is best.

Chili Rasboras

When they are more comfortable with their environments, they will stop hiding, and you can enjoy watching these beautiful fish swim around. Chili Rasboras are red and pink with a black line running across their bodies.

If you want to have a more colorful fish tank, these are a great start. Chili Rasboras also prefer to be kept in groups so that they can stay healthy and comfortable, especially if they’re new to your home aquarium. 

6. Clown Rasboras 

  • Size: 4 inches
  • Diet: omnivorous 
  • Minimum Tank Size: 50-60 gallons

The Clown Rasboras, aka Rasboras Kalochroma is a freshwater fish with its origins in Indonesia. Like other Rasboras, these fish are omnivorous but enjoy feeding on worms and insect larvae in their natural habitat.

Clown Rasboras

They get their name because of their appearance. Clown Rasboras have pronged mouths that resemble a clown’s nose with rosy cheeks. Their bodies are also pink to orange, with several spots on them. All clown Rasboras don’t look the same, so you’ll find each rasbora with different-sized spots in different shapes and locations.

You’ll find these fish in temperatures between 24-27 degrees Fahrenheit. They’ll also love it if you put decorations like driftwood and floating plants in their fish tank. Floating plants are ideal because they provide shade to these fish, prefer dim lighting, make them feel at home, and add more color to the aquarium. They also like water with a pH of 4.0. These fish are also peaceful, but it also depends on the Tankmates you add to their tank. 

7. Blackline Rasbora

  • Size: 2.5 inches
  • Diet: omnivorous 
  • Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons 

The blackline Rasboras body is grey and almost transparent. This fish has a black stripe on their body with another yellow stripe on top. They have a tint of red on their body too. So you’ll love watching them in your fish aquarium.

Blackline Rasbora

one thing about the blackline Rasboras is they are typically hardier than their fellow Rasboras, which is excellent for you if you’re a beginner fishkeeper and plan on having them in your fish tank. They are primarily found in Southeast Asia in slow-moving waters.

These fish prefer warm water temperatures between 72-79 degrees Fahrenheit and soft water to be comfortable in their new home. A neutral pH will also be suitable for these fish. 

8. Scissortail Rasboras 

  • Size: 3.5 inches
  • Diet: omnivorous 
  • Minimum Tank Size: 20-25 gallons 

While most Rasboras are known to be peaceful and keep to themselves, the Scissortail Rasbora is quite different. The scissortail rasbora prefers being active for most of the day because they are strong swimmers. If you give them enough space in their fish tank, they’ll have a good time swimming and exploring their new environment.

Scissortail Rasboras

The name scissortail is because of its tail shape. If you look closely, you’ll notice their tail is different than that of other Rasboras. A deep fork in their tail matches their thin silver body. There also have white and black stripes on their tails, so it will be easy to identify them if you have other Rasboras in your fish tank.

For their aquarium, you need to fill it with plants and other decorations, but as long as it ensures your Rasboras has plenty of space to dart back and forth in the fish tank. The water parameters these fish are comfortable with include pH levels of 6.6-7.0 and temperatures between 74-80 degrees Fahrenheit. They aren’t very picky about the décor as long as it is similar to their natural setting as possible.

9. Lambchop Rasboras 

  • Size: 1.5 inches
  • Diet: omnivorous 
  • Minimum Tank Size: 10-15 gallons

Another type of Rasboras that is peaceful and fun in your fish tank is the lambchop Rasbora. Despite the name, these fish aren’t for you to eat.

Lambchop Rasboras

These fish have this name because of a mark on their dorsal fin that goes all the way to the caudal fin. This mark looks like a lamb chop, which stands out in their body that’s colored orange and red. But if you look closely, you might see other colors too.

Lambchop Rasboras love being around their species, so you should keep them in groups of six or more. This way, they can be happy and spend time exploring the tank.

Lambchop Rasboras won’t be too picky about their diet, so you have a wider variety of options to feed them. They need the proper warm water temperatures, with plenty of decorations like driftwood and plants, and they’ll be happy. 

10. Phoenix Rasboras 

  • Size: 0.8 inches
  • Diet: omnivorous 
  • Minimum Tank Size: 5-10 gallons

If you’re looking for a Rasbora that will always catch your attention, then the Phoenix Rasbora is the one to get. At first glance, you might think that this fish is red.

Phoenix Rasboras 

But on closer inspection, you’ll see that they have many more colors you’ll fall in love with. You’ll see hints of yellow, orange, and black in their bodies and fins. All these colors make this fish look like fire hence the name phoenix.

Phoenix Rasboras aren’t in any way aggressive, and are quite calm and easy-going. If you plan to keep them with other Rasboras, they will live well together. Like other Rasboras, they should be kept with other Rasboras to feel safe. 

11. Brilliant Rasboras

  • Size: 3.5-4 inches 
  • Diet: carnivore
  • Minimum Tank Size: 25-30 gallons

Brilliant Rasboras are different because they prefer more acidic environments. As low as pH levels of 3.0. Brilliant Rasboras originate from blackwater streams and swamps. The brilliant Rasbora usually doesn’t grow larger than 5cm, so you shouldn’t worry about increasing your tank size later.

Brilliant Rasboras

Brilliant Rasboras are beautiful too. Their bodies are silver in color, which shimmers when you’ve put in place aquarium lights and that shimmer is how they got their name!

But that doesn’t mean they require highly acidic water in their home aquarium. These fish can quickly adapt to any environment, even in a community tank with other fish species.

Regarding their food, the brilliant Rasbora love to eat insects like larvae and crustaceans. But in your care, you can give them dry foods and frozen foods, so they get their daily dose of protein. 

12. Dwarf Rasboras

  • Size: 1 inch
  • Diet: omnivorous 
  • Minimum Tank Size: 10-15 gallons

As the name suggests, the dwarf Rasbora is one of the smallest types of Rasboras you’ll find at most fish stores. They are some of the smallest fish in the world. The good thing about them is you can keep several dwarf Rasboras in your home aquarium because of their size, even more than 10 of them in one tank.

Dwarf Rasboras 

These Rasboras will be happier in large groups, and watching them in your tank can do wonders for your mood. Not to mention how pleasing it will be as a display. Their body is deep red with dark spots all over their body to make their look stand out. From a different angle, they might even look orange.

These fish can thrive in temperatures of between 65-89 degrees Fahrenheit. The water should also be with pH levels of around 4.0. But don’t worry, these fish are hardy and can handle various conditions. 

Which Rasbora is Your Favorite?

If you’re searching for peaceful fish to add to your home aquarium, then the Rasboras fish species an excellent choice. However, as much as they are some of the easiest fish to take care of, it doesn’t mean you can just put them in a random tank and expect them to thrive.

Rasboras require a well-planted tank, warm water temperatures, and friendly tank mates to keep them entertained. This list only has 12 of the most popular Rasbora species, but there are many more you can find.

If you’re looking for smaller species, the dwarf Rasboras or chili Rasboras are solid choices. If you want to add these species to a larger community tank, the scissortail and harlequin Rasbora are your best options.

So which Rasbora will you take home?

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