All fish / Cyprinidae

Brittan's Rasbora

Kottelatia brittani

Also known as brittans rasbora, brittan's rasbora, brittani rasbora, rasbora brittani, kottelatia rasbora

This is a small, slim rasbora with a silvery body, a dark stripe along its side and orange or reddish tones in the fins. It comes from soft, acidic blackwater peat swamp streams. Keepers like it for nano and biotope tanks with dim light, leaf litter and quiet tankmates.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

3.5 cm

Temperature

22 to 28 °C

pH

4 to 6.5

Smallest tank

45 litres

Keep as

Shoal of 8 or more

Diet

Omnivore: small live and frozen foods such as daphnia, cyclops and baby brine shrimp, plus fine dry foods

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Peninsular Malaysia (Pahang, Terengganu) and Indonesia (Sumatra, Bangka, Belitung)

Breeding

It scatters its eggs among plants and gives no parental care. Spawning has been managed in soft, very acidic water, but it is rarely bred in captivity and the tiny fry need infusoria first.

Good to know

It is a peat swamp species and does poorly in hard or alkaline water, so keep the water soft and acidic and stable. Its wild habitat is under threat from forest clearance, and it is usually only offered by specialist importers.