Family: Cyprinidae
Distribution: Rasbora vaterifloris, also known as Pearly Rasbora, is a Sri Lankan freshwater species found in the middle catchment area of the Nilwala and Kalu basins. It is generally found in shallow, sheltered forest streams.
PH: 6.0
Temperature: 25°C – 29C (77 – 84F)
Hardness: 5 – 8 dH
Description: Rasbora vaterifloris can reach a maximum length of around 4 cm. Depending on where it is found, this species can vary in colour from red-orange to blue. The red, orange and yellow-finned forms are very highly sought in the aquarium hobby, but the Pearly Rasbora is quite a rare species. Males are slimmer and have a brighter colouration to females.
Diet: The Three-lined Rasbora is not a fussy eater in an aquarium environment; in the wild it is said to eat small insects and organic detritus. You can feed it dried food and daily meals of small live and frozen foods – Daphnia and Artemia in particular – to keep it healthy and vibrant.
Breeding: Rasbora vateriflorisis an egg-scatterer that exhibits no parental care; it is also reportedly extremely difficult to breed in a tank. A peat fibre substrate is recommended as it replaces the silty conditions that it is used to in the wild; it will also stop the parents from devouring the eggs. Provide plenty of plants in your tank – Java moss will provide some cover for the fish – and have a very gentle filtration in your tank. This species is best spawned in groups of 5 – 6; eggs can number around 20 or more. The fry hatches in 24 – 48 hours and can take several months to reach adult size.
Comments: You can house a small group of Rasbora vaterifloris in a 70 litre tank. Your tank should have plenty of open swimming space, a dark substrate, and plantation in the form of dried leaf litter and driftwood roots. The Pearly Rasbora will appreciate a dimly lit tank and small, regular water changes to keep it healthy. Given the strict water requirements during breeding and in general, Rasbora vaterifloris is probably better suited to hobbyists with some experience.
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Recommended Compatible Species: Rasbora vaterifloris, a schooling species, is quite shy and should be kept in groups of about a dozen. They will live happily with most Tetra species (particularly the Neon Tetraand Black Tetra). They are also great tank mates with Discus, Apistogramma‘s like Apistogramma Cacatouides and Apistogramma Borelli, CorydorasCatfish (particularly Corydoras Sterbai and Corydoras aeneus) Angelfish, Clown loach, the common Guppyand Platyand most Gourami(such as the Blue Gourami and Dwarf Gourami like the Honey Gourami) Also can live happily with most Danio(particularly the Zebra Danioand Pearl Danio) and also many Killifish make great tank mates.
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