Sidestripe Rasbora Care Guide
Rasbora paviei is a slim, peaceful schooling rasbora from the Mekong, Chao Phraya and Mae Klong basins of Southeast Asia, tolerant of a wide range of conditions.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Rasbora paviei, the sidestripe rasbora, is a slim, silvery cyprinid with a faint horizontal line along the flank. FishBase lists the species under the name Rasbora paviana. It is a peaceful, adaptable schooling fish of Southeast Asian streams.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cyprinidae
- Genus: Rasbora
- Scientific name: Rasbora paviei
- Order: Cypriniformes
Habitat
The species occurs in the Mekong, Chao Phraya and Mae Klong basins and the northern Malay Peninsula. It inhabits clear, usually shallow and moderately flowing streams, typically small to medium-sized watercourses in upland areas.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 60 L
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 2-12 °dGH
- School size: 8 or more individuals
- Lifespan: 3-5 years
Diet
Rasbora paviei is an omnivore that, according to FishBase, probably feeds on exogenous insects in the wild. In the aquarium a varied diet of small dried, live and frozen foods is appropriate.
Compatibility
This is a peaceful, middle-water schooling fish suitable for community aquariums. Compatible companions include tetras and corydoras; aggressive species should be avoided.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed under Rasbora paviana).
Sidestripe Rasbora (Rasbora paviei) Breeding Guide
Overview
Rasbora paviei, the sidestripe rasbora, is a slim cyprinid from the Mekong, Chao Phraya and Mae Klong river basins of mainland Southeast Asia, reaching about 9 cm. The valid spelling is Rasbora paviana, corrected by Kottelat in 2005. 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 reliable external difference is documented.
Conditioning
The species prefers small live and frozen foods such as Daphnia and Artemia and accepts dried foods, though these should not be the sole diet. A varied diet brings females into full spawning condition.
Breeding Setup
Seriously Fish suggests a dimly lit container of about 120 x 30 x 30 cm with a mesh base that allows eggs to fall through but prevents adult access. An internal power filter is positioned to direct flow lengthwise during spawning.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Spawning is triggered by adding cool water every few hours, gradually topping up the tank, combined with small portions of live and frozen food. The fish scatter eggs that fall through the mesh out of reach of the adults, which would otherwise eat them.
Egg & Fry Care
Adults are best removed after a couple of days. Incubation usually takes 18-48 hours, with the young free-swimming 24-48 hours later. Initial food is Artemia nauplii and/or microworm; a mature sponge filter is used so fry are not sucked into the mechanism.
Common Challenges
Because adults eat the eggs, a mesh base or dense vegetation is important, and the small free-swimming fry require correctly sized first foods. Seriously Fish notes captive breeding is plausible but not clearly confirmed in the literature.