Adaptable, peaceful shoalers that colour up in a group. A reliable community fish for planted tanks.
- Temperature22–27 °C
- pH6–7.5
- Minimum tank60 L
- DifficultyBeginner
| Food | Micro-pellet/flake + frozen daphnia |
|---|---|
| Feeding | Once or twice a day |
| Water change | 25% weekly |
Behaviour and habits
The harlequin rasbora is a calm, attractive shoaler with a distinctive dark wedge-shaped body, and it is one of the friendliest and most popular community fish. It schools closely in mid-water, colours up richly in a group of six or more, and never nips or bullies its tankmates. Soft, slightly acidic water brings out a warm copper sheen, and it looks its best against green plants in a settled, planted tank.
What to feed, and how often
A micro-pellet or flake plus frozen daphnia and brineshrimp works well. Feed once or twice a day, a little at a time; a varied diet keeps the colour strong, and it is an unfussy, gentle feeder that takes food as it drifts past.
Water changes and maintenance
Change about 25% weekly in soft-to-neutral water, matched closely. It is adaptable but colours best and stays healthiest in a stable, mature, planted tank, disliking sudden swings.
Care and how easy it is
One of the best beginner shoalers — peaceful, hardy and pretty — provided it has a group and some plant cover.
Lifespan
With good conditions and steady water quality, this species typically lives around 5–8 years in a home aquarium; some individuals live longer.
Common health problems
Robust; fin rot or ich appear only when the fish is stressed by poor water.
If it gets sick
Keep the water clean, warm and stable, and treat early if spots or clamped fins appear.
Good tank mates
- 21-25 C
- pH 6.0-7.5
- 60 L+; 60 x 30 cm base
- 20–26°C
- pH 6–7.8
- 60 L+
- 24-26 C
- pH 6.5-7.5
- 40 L+; 45 x 30 cm base
- 22-26 C
- pH 7.0-8.5
- 60 L+; 60 x 30 cm base
- 20–26°C
- pH 7–8.2
- 50 L+
Best avoided with
Similar species
- 18–26°C
- pH 6.5–8
- 60 L+
- 16–24°C
- pH 6–8
- 50 L+
- 24–28°C
- pH 5.5–7
- 30 L+
- 20–24°C
- pH 6.5–7.5
- 30 L+
- 22–27°C
- pH 6–7.5
- 50 L+
Compare at a glance
| Parameters | Harlequin rasbora | Zebra danio | White cloud mountain minnow | Chili rasbora |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parameters | ||||
| Temp | 22–27 °C | 18–26 °C | 16–24 °C | 24–28 °C |
| pH | 6–7.5 | 6.5–8 | 6–8 | 5.5–7 |
| GH | 2–12 °dGH | 4–20 °dGH | 4–18 °dGH | 1–8 °dGH |
| Min. tank | 60 L | 60 L | 50 L | 30 L |
| Size | 5 cm | 5 cm | 4 cm | 2 cm |
| Diet | Omnivore | Omnivore | Omnivore | Carnivore |
| Temperament | Peaceful | Peaceful | Peaceful | Peaceful |
| Difficulty | Beginner | Beginner | Beginner | Intermediate |
Care guides
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.