Instructions
Identify an Elegant Rasbora
Identify the Elegant Rasbora first by its characteristically elongated, streamlined body, which has a slight curvature in its front and back profiles. Note that it grows to approximately 8 inches (about 20 cm) in length.
Take into account its silvery coloring, with large, dark-edged scales that have a light violet sheen. It has a blue-black blotch below its dorsal fin, and another located just before its tail fin.
Look out for yellowish finnage and a dark-tipped caudal fin.
Provide Ideal Tank Conditions
Purchase a 36-gallon or larger aquarium tank for your Elegant Rasbora. Clean the tank (see Resources below) and then fill it with room temperature water. Before putting in the Rasbora fish, let the water sit 24 hours.
Install your filter and heater in the aquarium. Set the heater at 72 to 77 degrees F (22 to 25 degrees C).
Use the freshwater test kit to maintain water conditions slightly acidic at a pH range of 6.0 to 6.5, and water hardness in the 8 to 15 dH range.
Spread your gravel in the tank. Add any aquarium decorations you want to have. Since they do not feed on plants, you can use either live or plastic plants. Be sure, however, to place them along the perimeter of the tank to provide as much open swimming space as possible. Crytocaryne plants are an ideal choice because they are native to their natural habitat.
Acclimate your Elegant Rasboras to their new home in the aquarium using either the drip method or float method. (See Resources below.)
Provide them with the company of fellow peaceful fish that are of the same size, because they do best when kept in groups. Suitable tank companions include: neon tetras, cherry barbs, corydoras catfish and fellow Rasboras, such as the Scissortail Rasbora and Brilliant Rasbora.
Feed your Elegant Rasboras tropical fish flakes. They are omnivores, so you can provide a combined nutrition of vegetable flakes as well as frozen or live meaty fish foods such as blood worms.
How to Identify and Care for Elegant Rasbora Fish
The Elegant Rasbora (Rasbora elegans) belongs to the family Cyprinidae. Also called the Two Spot Rasbora, it is native to the streams and rivers of Borneo, Malaysia, and Sumatra in Southeast Asia. They are lively, schooling fish, which are peaceful to other fish and well-suited to a community tank. They are a hardy species, and a good choice for the beginner aquarist. These fish typically swim at the middle level of the aquarium.