All fish / Cyprinidae

Twospot rasbora

Rasbora elegans

Also known as elegant rasbora, two spot rasbora, twospot rasbora, two-spot rasbora, elegans rasbora, spotted rasbora, seluang, ラスボラ・エレガンス, wader, 双点波鱼, 优雅波鱼

A fairly large, silvery rasbora with a dark blotch under the dorsal fin, a second spot at the base of the tail and a thin dark line low on the flank. It is hardy, active and peaceful, which makes a shoal a good centrepiece for a roomy community tank.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

13 cm

Temperature

22 to 26 °C

pH

5.5 to 7.5

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

Shoal of 8 or more

Diet

Omnivore: quality flakes and small pellets, frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp and daphnia

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Malay Peninsula, Singapore, Sumatra and Borneo

Breeding

An egg scatterer that gives no parental care and will eat its own eggs. Spawning has been achieved in soft, slightly acidic water with fine-leaved plants or mesh, removing the adults afterwards, but it is not often bred by hobbyists.

Good to know

It grows much bigger than most rasboras, so it needs a long tank with swimming space and a tight lid as it can jump. Very small fish may be eaten by adults.