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Origin: Malaysia, Sumatra

Etymology: dorsiocellata(L): Refers to the spot in the dorsal fin.

Synonyms:None.

First European import: France, 1935, by W. Schreitmuller.

Description:See pictures

Care: Keep these fish in larger groups of 6 or more fish, in a spacious tank, with lots of free swimming space. A dark soil, densely planted zones in the back, and some shady areas(floating plants) complete the setup. The fish are best kept in soft slightly acidic water, well filtered, preferably over peat.

Temperature: 20-25 degrees

Feeding: Omnivorous, all food is accepted.

Size: Up to 6.5 cm.

pH: 6.0-7.0

Breeding: Best bred in pairs. In a small breeding tank, well planted, a female should be added. After two days, add a male to the breeding tank in the evening. Usually spawning will occur the next morning. Remove the parents immediately aftre spawning, or protect the eggs by using marbles as a substrate for example. Eggs will hatch after 24 hours. The fry are extremely small and sensitive, and require infusoria as a first food.

Sexual dimorphism: Tail of the male is reddisch, female yellowish. Without the colors the males and females can be distinguished by the shape of the belly(see the two pictures on the left, top is a female, bottom a male).

Prices:2-3€ a fish.

Additional: There is another subspecies, Rasbora dorsiocellata macrophthalma, Meincken, 1951. The only visible difference is the size, it grows up to 3.5 cm.

Picture references: All pictures E. Naus

References:Baensch, H. A., Riehl, R.(1982): Aquarien Atlas I. Mergus Verlag, Melle, Germany.(click on the link to buy this book)