Pearly Rasbora Care Guide
Rasboroides vaterifloris is an endangered rasbora endemic to southwestern Sri Lanka, a peaceful schooler for soft, slightly acidic aquariums.
Overview
Rasboroides vaterifloris, the pearly or fire rasbora, is a small cyprinid with a shimmering pearl-pink body. It is endemic to Sri Lanka and is a peaceful schooling fish that displays its best colour in heavily planted, soft-water tanks.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cyprinidae
- Genus: Rasboroides
- Scientific name: Rasboroides vaterifloris
- Order: Cypriniformes
Habitat
The species is endemic to southwestern Sri Lanka, in the Kalu, Bentota, Gin and Nilwala river basins. It inhabits shaded lowland rainforest streams with slightly acidic, soft water in a region of high rainfall, over silty substrates with leaf debris.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 80 L
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (75-82 °F)
- pH: 5.5-7.0
- GH: 2-8 °dGH
- School size: 6-10 individuals
- Lifespan: 3-5 years
Diet
It is an omnivorous micropredator that consumes small invertebrates. In the aquarium it thrives on small live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, Daphnia and Artemia, alongside quality flakes and granules.
Compatibility
A peaceful, middle-water schooling fish that is shy and easily intimidated by boisterous tankmates, best kept in groups of six to ten. It pairs well with small cyprinids and peaceful loaches; aggressive species should be avoided.
Breeding
It is an egg-scatterer with no parental care, spawning in groups of several pairs. Fry are slow-growing and take several months to reach maturity.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Endangered. The species has a restricted range and is dependent on specific habitat, making it vulnerable to habitat loss.