Eyespot Rasbora Care Guide
Rasbora dorsiocellata is a compact Southeast Asian rasbora with a dark spot on the dorsal fin, a peaceful schooler for soft, acidic blackwater tanks.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Rasbora dorsiocellata, the eyespot rasbora, is a compact cyprinid named for the dark spot on its dorsal fin. Now often placed in the genus Brevibora, it is a peaceful, highly social schooling fish well suited to soft, acidic aquariums.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cyprinidae
- Genus: Rasbora
- Scientific name: Rasbora dorsiocellata
- Order: Cypriniformes
Habitat
The species occurs in southern Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo and Sumatra, with the type locality the Muar River in Johore, Malaysia. It inhabits gently flowing blackwater streams and rivers linked to ancient forest peat swamps, where the water is soft, acidic and stained with tannins.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 60 L
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- pH: 5.5-7.5
- GH: 2-12 °dGH
- School size: 6-10 or more individuals
- Lifespan: 3-5 years
Diet
It is an omnivorous micropredator feeding on small insects, worms and crustaceans. In captivity it accepts suitably sized dried foods but should also receive daily small live and frozen foods such as Daphnia and Artemia.
Compatibility
A highly peaceful, middle-water schooling fish best kept in groups of eight to ten. Compatible companions include the harlequin rasbora and corydoras; aggressive species should be avoided.
Breeding
It is a continuous egg-scatterer with no parental care. Incubation takes roughly 18-48 hours, and fry become free-swimming within one to two days of hatching.
Eyespot Rasbora (Rasbora dorsiocellata) Breeding Guide
Overview
The eyespot rasbora, listed here as Rasbora dorsiocellata and now placed in the genus Brevibora, is a compact Southeast Asian cyprinid reaching about 30-35 mm. According to Seriously Fish it is an egg-scattering, continuous spawner that exhibits no parental care.
Sexing
Seriously Fish reports that mature females are noticeably rounder-bellied and often a little larger than males; no other firm external difference is documented.
Conditioning
The species is a micropredator that prefers small live and frozen foods such as Daphnia and Artemia. Conditioning can be done in the main group tank, feeding live and frozen foods multiple times daily before a spawning attempt.
Breeding Setup
Seriously Fish recommends a very dimly lit spawning container with the base left bare or covered with mesh of a grade large enough for eggs to pass through but preventing adult access; plastic grass matting works well. An internal power filter directs flow along the tank length.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Water should be slightly acidic to neutral with temperature towards the upper end of the range. Spawning is triggered by adding cool water gradually over hours and feeding live and frozen foods several times daily; multiple spawning events usually occur before females are depleted.
Egg & Fry Care
Adults consume eggs and should be removed after about two days, with the power filter replaced by a mature sponge filter. Incubation usually takes 18-48 hours, with fry free-swimming 24-48 hours later. Start with Paramecium, then introduce Artemia nauplii and microworm.
Common Challenges
Egg predation by adults makes a mesh base or dense planting important, and the small fry need correctly sized infusoria as a first food before progressing to Artemia.