Tankwise

A larger, sleek rasbora with a scissor-like tail; a lively, peaceful shoaler.

  • Temperature22–26 °C
  • pH6–7.5
  • Minimum tank80 L
  • DifficultyBeginner
FoodFlake/pellet + frozen
Feeding1–2 feeds a day
Water change25% weekly

Behaviour and habits

The scissortail rasbora is a larger, sleek, streamlined rasbora whose deeply forked tail 'scissors' as it swims. It is peaceful but fast and active, using the full length of the tank, and looks best in a group of six or more gliding back and forth in the current. It is not a shy fish; given room and company it stays out in the open, and it needs a longer tank than most rasboras to swim properly.

What to feed, and how often

A good flake or micro-pellet plus frozen daphnia and bloodworm; feed once or twice a day. As mid-water feeders they take food as it drifts past, so avoid letting it sink uneaten, and keep it varied to hold condition.

Water changes and maintenance

Change about 25% weekly. They are adaptable but do best in a longer tank with gentle flow and clean, stable water, and they dislike sudden swings.

Care and how easy it is

An easy, hardy shoaler for a bigger community tank — it simply needs more swimming length than most rasboras.

Common health problems

Robust; problems are rare and usually linked to poor water.

If it gets sick

Keep the water clean and stable, and treat any infection early.

Good tank mates

GuppyBeginner with population planning
GuppyPoecilia reticulata
  • 22-26 C
  • pH 7.0-8.5
  • 60 L+; 60 x 30 cm base
Livebearers | Social; males pursue females | Omnivore
PlatyBeginner
PlatyXiphophorus maculatus
  • 20–26°C
  • pH 7–8.2
  • 50 L+
Livebearers · Peaceful · Omnivore
MollyBeginner
MollyPoecilia sphenops
  • 22–28°C
  • pH 7–8.5
  • 70 L+
Livebearers · Peaceful · Omnivore

Best avoided with

Similar species

Harlequin rasboraBeginner
Harlequin rasboraTrigonostigma heteromorpha
  • 22–27°C
  • pH 6–7.5
  • 60 L+
Tetras & rasboras · Peaceful · Omnivore
Zebra danioBeginner
Zebra danioDanio rerio
  • 18–26°C
  • pH 6.5–8
  • 60 L+
Danios & minnows · Peaceful · Omnivore
White cloud mountain minnowBeginner
White cloud mountain minnowTanichthys albonubes
  • 16–24°C
  • pH 6–8
  • 50 L+
Danios & minnows · Peaceful · Omnivore

Compare at a glance

ParametersScissortail rasboraHarlequin rasboraZebra danioWhite cloud mountain minnow
Parameters
Temp22–26 °C22–27 °C18–26 °C16–24 °C
pH6–7.56–7.56.5–86–8
GH4–15 °dGH2–12 °dGH4–20 °dGH4–18 °dGH
Min. tank80 L60 L60 L50 L
Size8 cm5 cm5 cm4 cm
DietOmnivoreOmnivoreOmnivoreOmnivore
TemperamentPeacefulPeacefulPeacefulPeaceful
DifficultyBeginnerBeginnerBeginnerBeginner

Care guides

GuideHow Often Should You Feed Fish?Overfeeding causes more aquarium problems than underfeeding. Here is a realistic feeding routine, and the signs that you are giving too much.GuideHow Often Should You Change Aquarium Water?Water changes remove waste that the filter cannot, and keep minerals topped up. There is no single number, but there is a simple way to find yours.GuideHow to Treat Ich (White Spot Disease)Ich looks alarming but is one of the most treatable fish diseases. Act early, raise the heat, and it clears within a week or two — here is how.GuideFishless Cycling: The Kindest Way to Start a TankFishless cycling builds the filter's bacteria before any fish goes in, so your first fish never lives through toxic water. Here is how to do it.GuideHow to Acclimate New Fish (Float and Drip)How you introduce a new fish decides whether it settles or stresses. Float, mix and net — the right way to acclimate a new arrival in half an hour.

New to the words? See the aquarium glossary.

Sources and research notes

Parameters are typical ranges for the species in home aquariums and vary with the individual fish and the water you use.