All fish / Danionidae

Lambchop Rasbora

Trigonostigma espei

Also known as espei rasbora, espe's rasbora, false harlequin rasbora, lamb chop rasbora, lambchop, rasbora espei, copper harlequin rasbora, ปลาซิวข้างขวานเล็ก, ラスボラ・エスペイ, 小三角灯, 伊氏波鱼

A small, slender relative of the harlequin rasbora with a coppery orange body and a thin black wedge on the rear half that looks like a lamb chop. It is kept for its warm colour, calm nature and tight shoaling, making it a favourite for planted nano and community tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

2.5 cm

Temperature

23 to 28 °C

pH

5.5 to 7

Smallest tank

45 litres

Keep as

Shoal of 8 or more

Diet

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

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Southeast Thailand and Cambodia (coastal drainages)

Breeding

An egg scatterer that lays its eggs on the underside of broad leaves, much like the harlequin rasbora. Spawning is possible in soft, acidic water with dense planting, but numbers are small and fry need infusoria at first, so it is moderately tricky.

Good to know

Often confused with the harlequin rasbora (T. heteromorpha) and Hengel's rasbora (T. hengeli), which have broader or differently shaped markings. Avoid housing with large or boisterous fish that may eat or bully it.