Common Name: Harlequin rasbora, Red rasbora, Harlequin fish

Scientific Name: Trigonostigma heteromorpha, formerly Rasbora heteromorpha

Family: Cyprinidae

Maximum Size: 4.5cm (1-2")

Sociability: Mid level water dweller, schoaling fish which prefers a minimum group of 6-8.

Minimum Tank size: Small community tanks are ideal for a small group. A 30 gallon would be suitable for 12 to 24 harliquins.

ph: 6.5-7.5

Temperature: 24-28 degrees C (76-80 degrees F)

Sexing: Female is much larger and rounder than the male. Male is generally much smaller than females.

Care Level: Great for Beginers.

Care: Very easy, recuires no special attention. A quite hardy little fish which will not harm others. God quality water with frequent maintenance will help this fish live a long life and show beatiful colours.

Aquarium: Good for small community type aquariums, prefers groups larger than 6. A heavily planted, dimly lit aquarium provides this fish with the best environment. Provide ample swimming space.

Feeding: Omnivorous. Will take live, frozen or flake foods.

My personal fish:

Please ask my permission for use of this image via the PM system! :)

This post has been edited by steelhealr: Apr 18 2006, 05:11 AM

Close up of Harlequin rasbora.



This post has been edited by Lateral Line: May 18 2006, 06:56 PM

I cant recommend these delightful, active fish enough!

This post has been edited by Lateral Line: May 18 2006, 06:56 PM

Sexing: I believe, from reading and corroboration with the fatness-of-females thing, that females tend to have a more concave black spot (more triangular, less round, however you'd like to say that), while males have a round spot.

I.e. ITJ's picture looks to be a male.

This post has been edited by Lateral Line: May 18 2006, 06:57 PM

Also you can get different colour strains of harlequin. we had a bluey/purple one and a gold one and a copper one. ive also heard you can get black harlequins but ive never seen one.

Mod Edit:

There is a "Black Harlequin" around. This is a hyper melanistic sport, not injected/dyed. The hypermelanistic gene is recessive, so they will not breed true in all but the best genetically controlled environments. In all other respects, they are the same species as featured above, and require the same basic care regime.

LL