All fish / Cyprinidae

Slender Rasbora

Rasbora subtilis

Also known as slender rasbora, subtle rasbora, rasbora subtillis, seluang, ラスボラ・サブティリス, wader

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This is a slim, silvery rasbora with a thin dark line running along the flank and faint yellowish fins. It is part of the Rasbora sumatrana group and sometimes reaches the trade mixed in with other wild-caught rasboras. Keepers like it for its active shoaling in planted community tanks with soft water.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

6 cm

Temperature

22 to 27 °C

pH

5.5 to 7

Smallest tank

80 litres

Keep as

Shoal of 8 or more

Diet

Omnivore: small live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp, plus quality flakes and micro pellets

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

4 to 6 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and Borneo (Indonesia)

Breeding

It scatters eggs among plants and gives no parental care, so adults will eat the eggs. Captive spawning is seldom reported, but it should be possible in a separate tank with soft, acidic water, fine-leaved plants or a mesh base, and the parents removed after spawning.

Good to know

It is easily confused with similar species such as Rasbora sumatrana and R. paviana, so check the identification of imported fish. It is a fast, jumpy swimmer, so use a tight lid and avoid housing it with tiny shrimp fry.