All fish / Cyprinidae

Scissortail Rasbora

Rasbora trilineata

Also known as scissortail rasbora, scissor tail rasbora, three-lined rasbora, scissors tail, scissortail, three line rasbora, ปลาซิวหางกรรไกร, seluang, シザーステール・ラスボラ, paray, 剪刀尾波鱼, 三线波鱼

A slim, silvery, almost see-through rasbora with a thin dark line along the side and a deeply forked tail, each lobe marked with a black band and white tip. The tail flicks open and shut like scissors as it swims, which gives it its name. It is hardy, active and peaceful, so it suits roomy community tanks with plenty of open swimming space.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

10 cm

Temperature

22 to 27 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

120 litres

Keep as

Shoal of 8 or more

Diet

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

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 6 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Mekong and Chao Phraya basins, Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo

Breeding

It scatters eggs over fine-leaved plants or the substrate and gives no parental care, eating eggs if it gets the chance. Spawning is fairly easy in a separate tank with soft, slightly acidic water and a mesh or plants to protect the eggs, and the fry take infusoria first, then baby brine shrimp.

Good to know

It grows larger than many people expect and is a fast, nervous jumper, so it needs a long tank with a tight lid. Very small fish such as shrimp fry may be eaten.