Axelrod's Blue Rasbora Care Guide
Sundadanio axelrodi is a tiny iridescent cyprinid from peat-swamp forests of the Greater Sunda Islands, requiring strict soft, acidic blackwater conditions.
Overview
Sundadanio axelrodi is a tiny iridescent cyprinid measuring around two centimetres. Several colour forms exist depending on locality, including blue-green and red-orange variants. It is a schooling species best kept in large groups, and males produce audible croaking sounds during displays.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cyprinidae
- Genus: Sundadanio
- Scientific name: Sundadanio axelrodi
- Order: Cypriniformes
Habitat
The species is native to the Greater Sunda Islands of Borneo and Sumatra as well as the Riau Archipelago and Bangka Island. It inhabits blackwater streams in ancient forest peat swamps with very soft, strongly acidic water and dense vegetation over a substrate of fallen leaves and branches.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 30 L
- Temperature: 22-26 °C (72-79 °F)
- pH: 4.0-6.0
- GH: 1-4 °dGH
- School size: 10 or more individuals
- Lifespan: 2-4 years
Diet
It feeds on small crustaceans, worms and insect larvae in nature. In captivity it prefers live or frozen foods such as Artemia nauplii, Daphnia and bloodworm, and may initially refuse dried foods.
Compatibility
A peaceful but timid, middle-water schooling fish that should be kept in large groups for security. It is suited to dedicated soft-water nano setups; suitable companions include small Boraras, while hard-water species should be avoided.
Breeding
Breeding is rarely achieved in captivity and requires stable, strongly acidic conditions in a mature, planted blackwater setup with leaf litter and peat.