Harlequin Rasbora Fish Breed Profile

Origin and Distribution

The harlequin rasbora is an area of Malaysia, Singapore, Sumatra, and southern Thailand. It inhabits streams and waters that are characterised principally by their low mineral content material materials and extreme concentrations of dissolved humic acids, which is typical of water that flows by way of swamped forests. The waterlogged soils of these forests inhibit the entire decay of leaf litter, ensuing inside the formation of peat, which leaches humic acids. These conditions resemble these found inside the blackwater habitats of South America.

Colors and Markings

Of the higher than 5 dozen species of rasbora, the harlequin is arguably the popular of all of them. Also called a pink rasbora, the physique is a reddish-copper color that is accented by a inserting black wedge defending the rear half of the physique. The distinguishing triangular patch begins near the dorsal fin and involves some extent near the underside of the caudal fin.

This species seems very similar to the Pork Chop or Lamb Chop Rasbora (T. espei). and the Slender Wedge Rasbora (T. hengeli), and Somphong’s Rasbora (T. somphongsi), and these fish species could possibly be differentiated primarily by the size of the darkish “wedge.” These species of rasboras are listed from largest to smallest triangular patch.

Tank gauges

The harlequin rasbora is a shoaling fish; it must be saved in faculties of eight to 10 individuals. Faculties of even larger numbers make for an beautiful present. You could protect harlequins with any fish as prolonged it’s not large and predatory. It will not nip at or quarrel with another species. Some doubtlessly good tankmates may embrace cardinal tetras, one betta, neon tetras, small barbs, dwarf gouramis, danios, completely different small rasboras, and cory catfish.

Harlequin Rasbora Habitat and Care

Rasboras are an actual freshwater family of fish and are in no way seen in brackish waters. They just like the lowland waters of southeastern Asia, the place the water is light and acidic. Harlequins want an environment with areas of dense vegetation, an open house for swimming, a darkish substrate, and subdued lighting.

An aquarium meant to accommodate harlequin rasboras must be planted with dwell crops. Create open areas for swimming between stands of crops akin to Cryptocoryne species, these being among the many many crops that inhabit the harlequin rasbora’s native waters.

Harlequin Rasbora Weight-reduction plan and Feeding

Harlequins readily accept all meals nonetheless want to eat dwell meals each time potential. In nature, their weight-reduction plan consists primarily of bugs. Nonetheless, they’re going to accept frozen meals and freeze-dried meals along with flake meals. A various weight-reduction plan will make certain that digestive points or susceptibility to sickness do not occur. Brine shrimp, daphnia, and any form of worm are superb supplemental meals, considerably when conditioning sooner than breeding.

Gender Variations

Male harlequins are additional slender and a bit smaller than females. Although they share associated colors and patterns, the males are usually additional brightly colored than the females. In addition to, the distinctive black wedge defending the posterior of the fish is also additional rounded in males and further angular in females.

Breeding the Harlequin Rasbora

Harlequins are among the many many more durable tropical freshwater species to breed, nonetheless, spawning is also achieved for individuals who current the proper conditions. Select youthful specimens and state of affairs them with dwell meals akin to daphnia and mosquito larvae sooner than the spawning attempt. Harlequin rasbora differs from completely different customary rasboras inside the aquarium within the case of breeding. Whereas completely different rasboras are egg-scattering spawners, harlequin rasboras are egg layers.

You could breed groups of youthful harlequins in a single aquarium. When spawned in groups, protect two males for every female. Hobbyists who’re intent upon simulating pure conditions as rigorously as potential may choose to filter the aquarium water over peat, thus replicating the humic acid concentrations found inside the fish’s native waters, although this is not necessary if the elemental water chemistry parameters (no elevated than 4 dGH of hardness, pH spherical 6.4) are precisely maintained. The optimum water temperatures for spawning are between 76 and 80 ranges Fahrenheit. Add Cryptocorynes or associated broad-leafed crops to the breeding tank.

Whenever you put collectively the breeding tank, introduce the breeding stock late inside the day. Spawning will typically begin inside the morning and is initiated by the male dancing and trembling sooner than the female. This spawning habits is supposed to direct the female beneath a suitable plant for depositing the eggs. You would possibly even see the male nudging the perimeters of the female and rubbing his abdomen in direction of her once more to maneuver her to the spawning location.

When in a position to spawn, the female will flip the mistaken approach up and rub her abdomen in direction of the underside of a leaf, signaling the male to hitch her. The male will technique her whereas persevering with to tremble, then wrap himself around her physique and fertilize the eggs as they’re launched. Six to 12 eggs are laid at a time. The fertilized eggs rise and cling to the underside of the leaves. All through one to 2 hours, as many as 300 eggs is also laid, although 80 to 100 is additional typical.

When spawning is full, take away the breeding stock from the aquarium, as they’re going to eat the fry as quickly as they hatch. In water temperatures of about 80 ranges Fahrenheit, the eggs will hatch in roughly 24 hours. The fry are translucent and keep hooked as much as the leaf upon which the eggs have been laid for yet another 12 to 24 hours, all through which period the yolk sac is absorbed.

As quickly as this course of is completed, the fry develop into free-swimming, and at this stage, require very finely sized meals akin to dwell infusoria for a interval of seven to 14 days, after which the fry can feed upon newly hatched brine shrimp. If infusoria are unavailable, commercially prepared fry meals for an egglayer may additionally be used. Youthful harlequin rasboras then attain sexual maturity in roughly six to 9 months.

Further Pet Fish Species and Extra Evaluation

If harlequin rasboras enchantment to you, and you are interested in some acceptable fish to your aquarium, be taught up on:

Attempt additional fish breed profiles for additional data on completely different freshwater fish.