Home

Descriptions

General

Links

This site

Rasbora elegans elegans, Volz, 1903

Origin: Singapore, West-Malaysia, Indonesia; Sumatra and Borneo. Here the fish occur in standing and slow flowing waters.

Etymology: elegans means

Synonyms: Rasbora lateristriata var. elegans

First European import: Germany, 1909, by the "Vereinte Zierfischzüchtereien".

Description: See picture, 4 subspecies exist which only show minor differences.

Care: Because of the size the fish require extremely large tanks, 2 meters or more. The fish should be kept in groups of at least 6 fish, in a well planted tank, with enough free swimming space. A dark soil and pieces of driftwood contribute to the fish well-being. Waterconditions soft, slightly acidic water, with regular small waterchanges.

Temperature: 22-25 degrees.

Feeding: All food is accepted.

Size: Up to 20 cm.

pH: 5.5-7.0

Breeding: In larger breeding tanks(1m) lower the waterlevel to 20-25 cm, densely planted sides and some free swimming space. Add a female to the tank for a few days, and add a male in the evening(best on friday!). Usually the fish will spawn the next morning, and should be removed immediately after breeding, since they are egg-eaters. Several thousand eggs are laid, which will hatch in one or two days.

Sexual dimorphism: Females are less colorful, and much fatter when ready to breed.

Prices: Rarely seen, usually only as contaminants with other fish(Rasbora dorsiocellata).

Additional: The other subspecies are:

- Rasbora elegans nematotaenia, Hubbs&Brittan, 1954.
- Rasbora elegans bunguranensis, Brittan, 1951.
- Rasbora elegans spiloraenia, Hubbs&Brittan, 1954.

Picture references:Picture 1: E. Naus

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