Clown Rasbora Care Guide
Rasbora kalochroma is a larger reddish rasbora from Sundaland with two dark flank spots, a peaceful schooler needing soft, acidic blackwater conditions.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Rasbora kalochroma, the clown rasbora, is a larger reddish cyprinid marked with two dark spots on each flank. Despite some reports to the contrary it is a schooling fish, peaceful in temperament and requiring soft, acidic conditions to thrive.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cyprinidae
- Genus: Rasbora
- Scientific name: Rasbora kalochroma
- Order: Cypriniformes
Habitat
The species is native to Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo and Sumatra, ranging from Sarawak through West Kalimantan to the Barito drainage of South Kalimantan. It inhabits dimly lit blackwater streams and rivers associated with ancient forest peat swamps, where the water is acidic and stained brown by decomposing matter.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 100 L
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (75-82 °F)
- pH: 4.5-6.5
- GH: 1-5 °dGH
- School size: 6-10 or more individuals
- Lifespan: 4-6 years
Diet
It is an omnivore that feeds primarily on invertebrates. In the aquarium it should receive daily live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, Daphnia and Artemia alongside quality dried flakes.
Compatibility
A peaceful, middle-water schooling fish requiring a group of at least eight to ten and suited to soft-water community tanks. It is an accomplished jumper, so a secure cover is required; hard-water species should be avoided.
Breeding
It is a continuous egg-scatterer with no parental care, and fry may appear naturally in mature, well-planted aquariums.
Clown Rasbora (Rasbora kalochroma) Breeding Guide
Overview
Rasbora kalochroma, the clown rasbora, is a reddish cyprinid reaching about 10 cm, native to blackwater streams and peat swamps of Borneo, Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia. According to Seriously Fish it is an egg-scattering, continuous spawner that exhibits no parental care and can spawn spontaneously in mature planted tanks.
Sexing
Seriously Fish reports that mature females are noticeably rounder-bellied and often a little larger than males. No other reliable external difference is documented.
Conditioning
The species takes bloodworm, Daphnia, Artemia and quality flakes or granules. A varied diet brings adults into spawning condition; controlled breeding still benefits from a dedicated setup.
Breeding Setup
Seriously Fish recommends a shallow, dimly lit container (about 75 x 30 x 30 cm) with a mesh base allowing eggs to fall through, plus java moss or fine-leaved plants. Temperature is kept at the upper range with slight acidity preferred.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
As a continuous scatterer the fish disperse eggs that fall through the mesh out of reach of adults. Spawning can occur spontaneously in mature, well-planted tanks, though controlled breeding uses the dedicated container described above.
Egg & Fry Care
Incubation is temperature-dependent, usually 18-48 hours, with fry free-swimming 24-48 hours later. Initial food is Paramecium, progressing to Artemia nauplii and microworm.
Common Challenges
The species requires soft, acidic blackwater conditions, and egg predation by adults makes a mesh base or dense planting important. Small fry need correctly sized infusoria before they can take Artemia.