All fish / Danionidae

Cauvery Rasbora

Rasbora caverii

Also known as cauvery rasbora, caveri rasbora, rasbora caveri, jerdon's rasbora

A slim silvery rasbora with a dark lateral stripe and, in good condition, warm orange tones on the body and fins. It comes from clear, fast-flowing hill streams in southern India and is kept for its active shoaling behaviour in well-oxygenated, current-rich tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

5.5 cm

Temperature

20 to 25 °C

pH

6.5 to 7.5

Smallest tank

80 litres

Keep as

Shoal of 8 or more

Diet

Omnivore: quality flakes and micro pellets, with live or frozen daphnia, bloodworm and brine shrimp

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

4 to 6 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Western Ghats, southern India (Cauvery and nearby river systems)

Breeding

An egg-scattering species that gives no parental care and will eat its own eggs. It is rarely bred in home aquaria; a separate tank with fine-leaved plants or mesh and soft, slightly cool water gives the best chance.

Good to know

Needs cool, clean, well-oxygenated water with some flow and does poorly in warm, still tanks. It is seldom traded and is sometimes confused with other Indian Rasbora species such as R. dandia.