Care Level: Easy

Temperament: Peaceful

Live Plant Safe: Yes

General Description: The Brilliant Rasbora, also known as the Blackline or Red-tailed Rasbora, is a desirable fish among beginner and seasoned hobbyists alike. Not only are these rasboras beautiful with their gold metallic coloration, but easy to care for. Brilliant rasbora have a torpedo shaped body with gold-yellow and black lines along the middle of the fish’s body, and a red spot at the front of the caudal fin. This species has an enormous natural range in shallow and still waters of Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and China, but most if not all of the Brilliant rasbora available within the aquarium trade are commercially produced. Brilliant rasbora are natural schooling fish, requiring at least 8 to 10 individuals but the more the merrier when it comes to this species. A larger group of Brilliant rasbora does make for a more dazzling display! An adult Brilliant rasbora can reach a size of approximately 2″.

Diet Requirements: Brilliant rasbora are omnivores. A diet made up of various high quality vegetable based and protein based flake foods, sinking micro pellet foods and bug bites are ideal, in addition to offering frozen foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp and daphnia. Variety is the spice of life in order to maintain color, immune function and longevity of your fish.

Care Requirements: A minimum 10 to 15 gallon aquarium is ideal for a group of Brilliant rasbora. Size up accordingly to accomodate a larger school. Brilliant rasbora are one of our listed “hardy fish” because they are able to endure the initial break-in cycle of a newly set-up aquarium. Brilliant rasbora are also a very adaptable species to a wide range of water parameters. The aquarium does not need to be aquascaped with anything in particular to keep a school of Brilliant rasbora happy, but a darker finer substrate, driftwood, and other natural-looking arrangements will bring out the beauty of this rasbora. Brilliant rasbora would benefit from some floating plants to dim the lighting if it is intense, and incorporating live plants into the aquascape, such as Anubias or Cryptocoryne, would still thrive under such conditions. Brilliant rasbora are extremely peaceful and rarely conflict with tank mates. They are a great filler fish for the upper areas of the aquarium, with a lot of energy and movement. Because of this, Brilliant rasbora can be successfully kept in a wide range of community-type aquariums. Given that Brilliant rasbora are always out and about, they serve as a good “dither” fish for more shy fish species. Recommended water conditions, 74-82° F, KH 2-12, pH 6.0-7.5.

Purchase Size: Medium: 1-3/4″ to 2″

Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase sizes are approximate.