Harlequin Rasbora 2cm

Harlequin Rasbora

The harlequin rasbora is quite easily one of the best fish to add to a community aquarium, it offers everything that aquarists look for in a community species with its schooling behavior, small size, hardy nature, and amazing colours. Often confused to be a South American tetra the harlequin rasbora is in fact an Asian species but its care requirements closely resemble most tetra species. 

These rasboras are most known for their beautiful array of contrasting colours, they have a light pink as a base colour which turns to deep orange rust-like colour through the body. These orange scales truly shimmer under aquarium lighting making them look like small neon lights as they tightly school in the tank but they are most recognizable for the jet-black triangle shape which starts from their ventral fin and finishes at the tail.

Harlequin rasbora only reach a maximum of 4.5cm making them great additions for smaller aquariums and a great fish to add a lot of life to large community aquariums as these are an often-overlooked schooling fish. Breeding the harlequin rasbora is possible however it is not a common practice as it is difficult to tell males from females and they also require specific environmental queues for breeding as well. The wild location of the harlequin rasbora is parts of Indonesia and Malaysia.

Tank Recommendations for your Harlequin Rasbora

Harlequin rasbora only get to a maximum size of 4.5cm and are a perfect schooling fish for aquariums as small as 60 liters. 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 behavior 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

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 which may prey on the harlequin rasbora such as larger predator fish. 

Feeding your Harlequin Rasbora

Harlequin rasbora are very easy to feed, they take to 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 would be best.