All fish / Danionidae

Glowlight Rasbora

Trigonostigma hengeli

Also known as hengel's rasbora, hengeli rasbora, neon harlequin rasbora, glowlight harlequin, rasbora hengeli, lesser harlequin rasbora, hengel's harlequin, ラスボラ・ヘンゲリー, ikan hengeli, 亨氏三角灯, 霓虹三角灯

A small, slightly deep-bodied rasbora with a translucent orange-pink body and a slim black wedge on the rear half, topped by a glowing orange line. It is popular for planted nano and community tanks, where a group in soft, tannin-stained water shows its best colour.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

2.5 cm

Temperature

23 to 28 °C

pH

5 to 7

Smallest tank

40 litres

Keep as

Shoal of 10 or more

Diet

Omnivore: small flakes, micro pellets, baby brine shrimp, daphnia and other tiny live or frozen foods

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Indonesia (Sumatra, Borneo)

Breeding

An egg scatterer that lays its eggs on the undersides of broad leaves, much like the harlequin rasbora. It is possible but fiddly in captivity, needing very soft, acidic water and removal of the adults after spawning.

Good to know

Often confused with the larger harlequin rasbora (T. heteromorpha) and the similar T. espei; check the slimmer black wedge when buying. Keep with other small, peaceful fish only.