Dwarf Harlequin Copper Rasbora 3cm

Dwarf Harlequin Copper Rasbora

With so many subtle variants and selectively bred strains now entering the aquarium hobby, the Dwarf Harlequin Copper Rasbora offers a perfect balance of elegance, schooling behaviour, and shimmering colour. This strain, often referred to as Trigonostigma espei or copper rasbora, is a naturally occurring cousin to the classic Harlequin Rasbora and has gained popularity due to its more intense orange-copper tones and slightly more slender frame.

The colours on these fish are nothing short of spectacular in the right lighting. The body shows off a vivid burnt-orange to coppery hue that glows as the fish darts and schools through the water. Their signature dark "lamb chop" marking is more refined and smaller than the one found on standard harlequins, often sitting further back towards the tail. This contrast gives them a sleeker and more refined appearance. The head may carry a lighter gold tone, and its clear fins accentuate their agile, darting movement.

Dwarf Harlequin Copper Rasboras only reach a maximum size of around 3.5-4 cm, making them ideal for nano aquariums or heavily planted community tanks. They are tight schooling fish, showing their best behaviour and colour when kept in groups of 6 or more. Breeding these rasboras is possible but not commonly pursued in home aquariums due to their small size and the requirement of precise environmental cues, including soft, acidic water and low lighting.

Tank Recommendations for your Dwarf Harlequin Copper Rasbora

Dwarf copper harlequin rasbora are a small-growing fish and are a perfect schooling fish option for aquariums as small as 60 litres. These fish are active and school really well, meaning a larger aquarium is always best, and keeping a school of 6 or more is ideal. They also look amazing against plants and will thrive in the well-planted aquarium along with other peaceful tank mates. The substrate is not a major concern for these fish as they are mostly mid-water fish; however, they are 'soft water' fish, meaning anything which could increase PH should be avoided. These are also tropical fish that are best kept at 24-26 degrees.

Suitable Tank Buddies

Due to their extremely peaceful behaviour, dwarf copper harlequin rasbora are great to include in community aquariums. They can be kept with a wide range of tetras, gourami, and other common, smaller fish species.

Usually Compatible

It is perfectly fine to mix the dwarf copper harlequins with standards to really give a different dynamic of colours in the school. They can also be kept with neon tetras, danios, bristlenose plecos, black widow tetras, and other smaller community fish.

Sometimes Compatible

Potentially aggressive or larger showing species such as severum or angelfish, which may pester the rasbora.

Rarely Compatible

Aggressive species that may prey on the harlequin rasbora, such as larger predator fish.

Feeding your Dwarf Harlequin Copper Rasbora

Harlequin rasboras, in general, are very easy to feed; they take a wide range of aquarium foods such as flake, pellets, and frozen foods. Due to their small mouths, a small floating or slow-sinking food is best with supplementation of frozen bloodworms or brine shrimp.